Daire is a unique and distinctive name of Irish origin. It is derived from the ancient Gaelic word "daire," which means "fruitful" or "productive." The name was often given to boys in Ireland during the Middle Ages, but it has since become more commonly used for girls.
The earliest known reference to the name Daire comes from an Irish manuscript called the "Book of Leinster," which dates back to the 12th century. In this text, a character named Daire is mentioned as being one of the mythical Tuatha Dé Danann, a group of gods and goddesses in Irish mythology.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Daire. One of the most famous was Saint Daire of Iona, who was an early Christian missionary and abbot of Iona Abbey on the island of Iona off the coast of Scotland. He is believed to have lived during the 6th century and is said to have been a cousin of Saint Columba.
Today, Daire is still a popular name in Ireland, but it has also gained popularity around the world. While it may not be as well-known as some other Irish names like Saoirse or Finley, it remains a unique and meaningful choice for parents looking for a name with deep roots in Irish history and culture.
The name Daire has seen a significant increase in popularity in the United States over the past three decades, with a total of 221 babies given this name during that period.
The earliest recorded birth year for the name Daire in the U.S. is 1992, with six births that year. The number of births remained relatively low until 2008, when eight babies were named Daire. Since then, there has been a steady increase in the popularity of the name.
In 2016, the name Daire reached its peak popularity, with 13 births recorded that year. This trend continued into 2017 and 2018, with six and 27 births respectively. However, there was a slight decrease in popularity in 2019, with only 20 babies named Daire.
The past few years have seen a resurgence in the popularity of the name Daire. In 2020, there were 32 births, followed by 17 and 16 births in 2021 and 2022 respectively. Most recently, in 2023, there were 26 babies named Daire, indicating that the name continues to be a popular choice among parents in the United States.
Overall, while the popularity of the name Daire has fluctuated over the years, it has shown a consistent upward trend since the mid-2000s. With its unique sound and spelling, the name Daire stands out as an attractive option for parents looking for something different for their children.