Deidre is a unique and beautiful female name of Irish origin. It comes from the Old Irish name Derbforgaill, which was composed of the elements derb, meaning "oak," and forgaill, meaning "gentle." Therefore, Deidre means "gently as an oak tree."
The name Deidre is associated with the ancient Irish legend of Deirdre of the Sorrows. According to the story, Deirdre was a beautiful maiden who was destined to bring great tragedy upon Ireland. She fell in love with Naoise, but their happiness was short-lived as they were pursued by King Conchobar, who also desired Deirdre. The lovers eventually fled to Scotland but were later betrayed and killed.
Despite its tragic associations, the name Deidre has been adopted by many families throughout history. It is considered a classic Irish name that evokes images of ancient Celtic lore and beauty. Today, Deidre remains a popular choice among parents seeking an unusual yet meaningful name for their daughter.
"The name Deidre peaked in popularity between 1944 and 1963, with a significant rise from 26 births in 1944 to a peak of 541 births in 1963. After that, its usage declined steadily until the early 2000s when it became quite rare, with fewer than 30 births per year. Between 2010 and 2023, there were consistently around 5 births of the name Deidre each year."