Féilim
Say it: FAY-lim
BoyIrish6 letters2 syllables
#402
in Ireland (2025)
#390 with spellings combined
9
babies in 2025
#264
best rank (1980)
116
babies since 1980
Up 71
10-year rank change
Féilim through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 9 | #390 |
| 2024 | 15 | #269 |
| 2023 | 10 | #351 |
| 2022 | 8 | #413 |
| 2021 | 6 | #479 |
| 2020 | 7 | #441 |
| 2019 | 3 | #724 |
| 2017 | 5 | #547 |
| 2016 | 5 | #541 |
| 2015 | 7 | #461 |
| 2014 | 7 | #468 |
| 2013 | 7 | #448 |
| 2012 | 4 | #616 |
| 2010 | 3 | #720 |
| 2008 | 5 | #529 |
| 2007 | 4 | #527 |
| 1995 | 3 | #334 |
| 1984 | 3 | #318 |
| 1980 | 5 | #264 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0. Spellings with and without fadas are combined; the CSO only recorded fadas from 2018.
★ What does Féilim mean?
Uncertain
Irish, a shortened form of the old royal name Feidhlimidh (Old Irish Fedlimid).
Say it right
FAYlim
The "éi" sounds like "ay". Phelim and Felim are English spellings of the same name.
Not:FEE-limFEL-im
The story of Féilim
Féilim is a shortened form of Feidhlimidh, Fedlimid in Old Irish, one of the old royal names of Ireland. Its meaning is not certain. In English it has been written Phelim, Felim and Feilmy, and it has also been swapped for Philip or Felix, chosen because they sound a little like it rather than because they mean the same thing.
The name runs through Irish history. Feidlimid mac Crimthainn was king of Munster and died in 846. Felim Ua Conchobair ruled Connacht in the 13th century, and Felim O’Neill of Kinard led the rising of 1641. In the Ulster Cycle, Fedlimid mac Daill is the storyteller whose daughter is Deirdre.
Féilim has always been rare. It first appears in the CSO records in 1980, and its busiest year was 2024, when 15 boys were given it. The CSO counts Féilim and Feilim separately, and Feidhlim is listed as a different name again.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Féilim
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Féilim | 9 | 58 |
| Feilim | under 3 | 58 |
In Northern Ireland
Not in the 2025 list. Best rank #404 (2024); 6 babies since 2016.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.