Declan is a name of Irish origin, derived from the ancient Irish name "Dectora", which consists of two elements: "deichtine" meaning "swift" or "rapid" and "maccu" meaning "son". Therefore, Declan means "swift-striding son".
The name has been associated with several important figures in Irish history. Saint Declan, also known as Mo Lua, was an early Christian saint who founded a monastery at Ardmore, County Waterford, in the 5th century. He is revered as a patron saint of that region and his feast day is celebrated on April 24th.
Another notable figure with the name Declan is Declan O'Rourke, a famous Irish musician and songwriter known for his album "Since Kyabram" released in 2018. His music often draws inspiration from Irish history and culture.
In modern times, Declan has become increasingly popular as a given name. According to the Social Security Administration data, it ranked among the top 500 names for newborn boys in the United States between 2010 and 2020. It is also a popular choice in Ireland, where it frequently appears among the top boy's names.
Overall, Declan is a name with rich historical significance and cultural ties to Ireland. Its meaning conveys swiftness and agility, making it an appealing choice for parents looking for a strong and meaningful name for their son.
The name Declan has been gaining popularity in the United States over the past two decades, with a steady increase in the number of babies being named Declan each year.
From 2001 to 2023, there have been a total of 371 babies named Declan born in the United States. The first recorded year for the name was in 2001, with only 6 births that year. However, it wasn't until 2012 that we started seeing a significant increase, with 18 babies named Declan.
The years 2017 and 2021 saw the highest number of babies named Declan, with 39 and 40 births respectively. Interestingly, despite being one of the newer names on this list, Declan has already surpassed many traditional boy's names in popularity.
Overall, it is clear that the name Declan has been growing in popularity over time, and it will be interesting to see how many babies are named Declan in the coming years.