Doireann
Say it: DIR-in
GirlIrish8 letters2 syllables
#189
in Ireland (2025)
#192 with spellings combined
23
babies in 2025
#100
best rank (2019)
1,358
babies since 1975
Down 48
10-year rank change
Doireann through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (girls) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 23 | #192 |
| 2024 | 26 | #171 |
| 2023 | 28 | #171 |
| 2022 | 48 | #110 |
| 2021 | 37 | #136 |
| 2020 | 45 | #117 |
| 2019 | 57 | #100 |
| 2018 | 50 | #117 |
| 2017 | 50 | #119 |
| 2016 | 46 | #128 |
| 2015 | 41 | #144 |
| 2014 | 55 | #110 |
| 2013 | 49 | #124 |
| 2012 | 54 | #114 |
| 2011 | 58 | #109 |
| 2010 | 58 | #116 |
| 2009 | 46 | #137 |
| 2008 | 45 | #136 |
| 2007 | 49 | #121 |
| 2006 | 29 | #169 |
| 2005 | 22 | #195 |
| 2004 | 19 | #207 |
| 2003 | 18 | #212 |
| 2002 | 20 | #189 |
| 2001 | 23 | #173 |
| 2000 | 16 | #213 |
| 1999 | 12 | #245 |
| 1998 | 19 | #179 |
| 1997 | 27 | #171 |
| 1996 | 22 | #197 |
| 1995 | 15 | #242 |
| 1994 | 11 | #282 |
| 1993 | 11 | #286 |
| 1992 | 13 | #269 |
| 1991 | 18 | #217 |
| 1990 | 15 | #242 |
| 1989 | 11 | #285 |
| 1988 | 21 | #200 |
| 1987 | 13 | #272 |
| 1986 | 19 | #217 |
| 1985 | 16 | #242 |
| 1984 | 14 | #267 |
| 1983 | 19 | #232 |
| 1982 | 20 | #236 |
| 1981 | 16 | #259 |
| 1980 | 9 | #337 |
| 1979 | 7 | #363 |
| 1977 | 8 | #348 |
| 1976 | 6 | #360 |
| 1975 | 4 | #455 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Doireann mean?
Uncertain
Irish, an old personal name of uncertain origin.
Say it right
DIRin
The "oi" is short, like the i in "dig". Some say DERR-in.
Not:DOY-rendoy-REEN
The story of Doireann
Doireann is an old Irish name, but its meaning is not settled. It lies behind the surname Ó Doirinne, “descendant of Doireann”, which is anglicised as Dorney and shows the name was in use long ago. One explanation links it to an Irish word meaning sullen or sulky, but no meaning is certain.
Modern bearers include the poet Doireann Ní Ghríofa, the radio producer Doireann Ní Bhriain and the broadcaster Doireann Garrihy.
Doireann first reached the CSO list in 1975. It grew slowly for thirty years, then picked up in the late 2000s. It had the most babies in 2010 and 2011, with 58 girls each year, and reached number 109 in 2011. It is still rare in Northern Ireland.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Dorney (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Doireann
- CSO VSA60, Girls Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Doireann | 23 | 1,358 |
In Northern Ireland
Not in the 2025 list. Best rank #201 (2022); 26 babies since 2020.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.