Saorlaith
Say it: SAIR-la
GirlIrishMeans usually explained as "noble princess"9 letters2 syllables
#247
in Ireland (2025)
#249 with spellings combined
17
babies in 2025
#249
best rank (2025)
174
babies since 2007
Up 248
10-year rank change
Saorlaith through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (girls) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 17 | #249 |
| 2024 | 16 | #265 |
| 2023 | 10 | #358 |
| 2022 | 16 | #269 |
| 2021 | 15 | #287 |
| 2020 | 12 | #335 |
| 2019 | 11 | #360 |
| 2018 | 8 | #469 |
| 2017 | 10 | #399 |
| 2016 | 8 | #479 |
| 2015 | 8 | #497 |
| 2014 | 14 | #336 |
| 2013 | 6 | #590 |
| 2012 | 6 | #613 |
| 2011 | 3 | #932 |
| 2010 | 5 | #666 |
| 2009 | 6 | #583 |
| 2007 | 3 | #841 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Saorlaith mean?
Usually explained as "noble princess"
Irish, usually taken as saor (free, noble) and flaith (ruler, princess).
Say it right
SAIRla
The "th" at the end is silent. Some say SEER-la, with the "ao" sound of Saoirse.
Not:SAY-or-lathSOR-lith
The story of Saorlaith
Saorlaith is the full form of Saorla. It is usually explained as a blend of saor, meaning free or noble, and flaith, a ruler or princess, the same ending found in Orlaith. Sources on the name are thin, so “noble princess” is best taken as the common reading rather than a settled fact.
It is a genuinely old name. The medieval Annals of Ulster record the death in 969 of Sáerlaith, daughter of Elcomach, who is said to have lived to a hundred.
In Ireland Saorlaith first reached three babies a year in 2007, and it had its best year yet in 2025, with 17 girls. It is much more popular in Northern Ireland, where 27 girls were given it in 2025, putting it at number 77. The CSO counts the short form Saorla separately, and in 2025 the two were almost level.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Sáerlaith inion Elcomach
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Saorlaith | 17 | 174 |
In Northern Ireland
#77 in 2025 with 27 babies. Best rank #77 (2025); 265 babies since 2002.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.