US Popularity Rank: 1810

Origin: Irish

Meaning: freedom

Hard to pronounce but inspiring in its meaning, Saoirse is a much-loved feminine name on Ireland's shores and beyond. Irish through and through, Saoirse is a direct translation of "freedom" in the country's native tongue. And while Saoirse Ronan has given the name worldwide acclaim, it bears a significant historic weight. Immerging in the 1920s, Saoirse is tightly bound to the Irish War of Independence and the creation of Saorstát Éireann—The Irish Free State. More than raw talent or an embodiment of unrestrained individuality, Saoirse is very much a celebration of Gaelic pride.