Enya
Say it: EN-ya/ˈɛnjə/
GirlIrishMeans a spelling of Eithne, traditionally "kernel" or "grain"4 letters2 syllables
#304
in Ireland (2025)
#308 with spellings combined
13
babies in 2025
#189
best rank (2004)
380
babies since 1989
Up 357
10-year rank change
Enya through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (girls) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 13 | #308 |
| 2024 | 6 | #546 |
| 2023 | 11 | #335 |
| 2022 | 9 | #414 |
| 2021 | 12 | #339 |
| 2020 | 7 | #485 |
| 2019 | 5 | #613 |
| 2018 | 7 | #504 |
| 2017 | 6 | #580 |
| 2016 | 7 | #518 |
| 2015 | 5 | #665 |
| 2014 | 8 | #500 |
| 2013 | 7 | #544 |
| 2012 | 7 | #562 |
| 2011 | 13 | #361 |
| 2010 | 10 | #445 |
| 2009 | 8 | #489 |
| 2008 | 10 | #431 |
| 2007 | 11 | #375 |
| 2006 | 8 | #433 |
| 2005 | 12 | #300 |
| 2004 | 21 | #189 |
| 2003 | 18 | #212 |
| 2002 | 17 | #218 |
| 2001 | 16 | #217 |
| 2000 | 4 | #465 |
| 1999 | 10 | #267 |
| 1998 | 5 | #381 |
| 1997 | 17 | #246 |
| 1996 | 19 | #212 |
| 1995 | 10 | #296 |
| 1994 | 8 | #329 |
| 1993 | 11 | #286 |
| 1992 | 19 | #213 |
| 1991 | 11 | #284 |
| 1990 | 4 | #446 |
| 1989 | 8 | #332 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Enya mean?
A spelling of Eithne, traditionally "kernel" or "grain"
Irish, a phonetic English spelling of Eithne.
Say it right
ENya
It keeps the sound of Eithne as said in much of Ireland.
Not:EN-ee-a
The story of Enya
Enya is the Irish name Eithne written the way it sounds. Eithne is an old name, traditionally linked with a word for a kernel or grain. Spelling it Enya makes the pronunciation clear to readers who don’t know Irish.
The spelling is best known through the singer Enya, from Gaoth Dobhair in Donegal, whose name in Irish is Eithne Ní Bhraonáin. She is the best-selling Irish solo artist, and her success made the spelling familiar around the world.
Enya first appears in the CSO records in 1989, around the time the singer found fame. Its best year was 2004, when 21 girls were given it and it reached number 189. It has been more popular in Northern Ireland, where it reached number 161 in 2025 with 11 babies.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Enya (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Enya
- CSO VSA60, Girls Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, First Forenames Given to Babies Registered in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Enya | 13 | 380 |
In Northern Ireland
#161 in 2025 with 11 babies. Best rank #158 (2020); 225 babies since 1997.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.