Muireann
Say it: MWIR-in
GirlIrishMeans usually explained as "sea-white"8 letters2 syllables
#196
in Ireland (2025)
#199 with spellings combined
22
babies in 2025
#87
best rank (2011)
1,674
babies since 1965
Down 60
10-year rank change
Muireann through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (girls) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 22 | #199 |
| 2024 | 26 | #171 |
| 2023 | 19 | #220 |
| 2022 | 26 | #183 |
| 2021 | 26 | #185 |
| 2020 | 26 | #177 |
| 2019 | 33 | #160 |
| 2018 | 35 | #154 |
| 2017 | 48 | #122 |
| 2016 | 57 | #101 |
| 2015 | 43 | #139 |
| 2014 | 55 | #110 |
| 2013 | 49 | #124 |
| 2012 | 50 | #121 |
| 2011 | 81 | #87 |
| 2010 | 56 | #120 |
| 2009 | 61 | #107 |
| 2008 | 71 | #96 |
| 2007 | 67 | #91 |
| 2006 | 40 | #135 |
| 2005 | 45 | #116 |
| 2004 | 40 | #122 |
| 2003 | 27 | #159 |
| 2002 | 23 | #170 |
| 2001 | 42 | #116 |
| 2000 | 31 | #132 |
| 1999 | 26 | #142 |
| 1998 | 24 | #148 |
| 1997 | 36 | #137 |
| 1996 | 41 | #129 |
| 1995 | 28 | #160 |
| 1994 | 23 | #179 |
| 1993 | 18 | #213 |
| 1992 | 19 | #213 |
| 1991 | 11 | #284 |
| 1990 | 18 | #214 |
| 1989 | 15 | #240 |
| 1988 | 24 | #185 |
| 1987 | 28 | #179 |
| 1986 | 17 | #227 |
| 1985 | 24 | #203 |
| 1984 | 10 | #308 |
| 1983 | 14 | #267 |
| 1982 | 22 | #225 |
| 1981 | 22 | #225 |
| 1980 | 18 | #245 |
| 1979 | 12 | #303 |
| 1978 | 20 | #230 |
| 1977 | 10 | #311 |
| 1976 | 15 | #252 |
| 1975 | 11 | #282 |
| 1974 | 9 | #300 |
| 1973 | 13 | #271 |
| 1972 | 4 | #428 |
| 1971 | 9 | #289 |
| 1970 | 5 | #363 |
| 1969 | 10 | #265 |
| 1968 | 5 | #327 |
| 1967 | 6 | #288 |
| 1966 | 3 | #380 |
| 1965 | 5 | #297 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Muireann mean?
Usually explained as "sea-white"
Irish, from Old Irish Muirenn, usually traced to muir (sea) and find (white, fair).
Say it right
MWIRin
Some say MUR-in or MIR-in. The "ui" is a short sound, not two vowels.
Not:MOO-ir-een
The story of Muireann
Muireann is the modern spelling of the Old Irish name Muirenn. It is usually explained as “sea-white” or “fair sea”, from muir (sea) and find (white, fair). That is the traditional reading rather than a proven one, as the main references say little about where the name comes from.
It was a real name in early Ireland, not a modern invention. The annals record several abbesses of Kildare called Muirenn between the 8th and 10th centuries, and a queen of Brega of the name who died in 748. Today it is carried by the broadcaster Muireann O’Connell and the Kerry singer and flute player Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, among others.
Muireann has been given in Ireland every year since 1965. Its best year was 2011, with 81 girls and a place at number 87. It has eased since, and in 2025 it was number 196 on the CSO list, with 22 girls. It is rarer in Northern Ireland, where its highest place was 181st, in 2021.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Muireann
- CSO VSA60, Girls Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, Baby Names in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Muireann | 22 | 1,674 |
In Northern Ireland
#397 in 2025 with 3 babies. Best rank #181 (2021); 110 babies since 2005.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.