The name Ireland is of Irish origin and is derived from the name Éire, which is the Irish language name for the island itself. The name has been in use as a given name since at least the 18th century, but it gained popularity as a girls' name in the mid-20th century.
Ireland means "western land" or "land of the west." In Irish mythology, Éire is the mother goddess who gives her name to the island. The name Ireland is often associated with the green colors and shamrocks of Ireland, as well as St. Patrick's Day celebrations.
Throughout history, the name Ireland has been borne by several notable individuals. One example is Ireland Baldwin, an American model and actress whose father is actor Alec Baldwin and mother is Kim Basinger. Another example is Ireland Broderick, daughter of actors Robyn Gibson and Mel Gibson.
In popular culture, the name Ireland has been used in various books, movies, and television shows, such as "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd, and the television series "Glee.
The name Ireland has been used inconsistently for baby girls in the United States over the past century. It was first given to six newborns in 1914 and again in 1916, but then it was not as popular until the late 1930s when it started appearing consistently with five births each year from 1939 to 1952.
There was a gap of over four decades before Ireland resurfaced as a popular name for girls in the United States. In 1996, five babies were named Ireland and this number remained consistent until 1998 when seven baby girls were given this name. The year 2001 saw a peak with seven births, but it has fluctuated since then.
In recent years, there have been an average of six births per year with the exception of 2015 and 2016 where only five babies were named Ireland each year. In 2018 and 2019, there were again five births, but this number increased to six in 2022 before dropping back down to five in 2023.
Overall, since 1914, a total of 209 baby girls have been named Ireland in the United States. This name has experienced periods of popularity followed by decades of less common use, but it has remained consistently present throughout the past century.