Aoife is a unique and ancient Irish given name, derived from the Old Irish word 'Aoidhe' which means 'beauty'. It is pronounced /EY-feh/, often rhyming with 'life'. This name was borne by several figures in Irish mythology, including Aoife of Leinster, who was a skilled warrior and queen. In contemporary times, Aoife has been experiencing a revival as a popular choice for girls in Ireland, while it remains less common elsewhere.
The name Aoife has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past three decades, with a consistent rise in births from just 6 in 1985 to a peak of 115 in 2022. This trend suggests that the name is becoming more widely accepted and appreciated, with a substantial number of parents choosing it for their daughters even in recent years. However, there was a slight decrease in popularity in 2023, with only 88 births recorded compared to the previous year's high of 115.