Find out how popular the first name Deidra has been for the last 47 years (from 1974 to 2020) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Deidra by gender

Based on the last 47 years of data, Deidra is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2020, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Deidra.

The history of the first name Deidra

The name Deidra has its origins in the Irish and Gaelic languages, derived from the Old Irish word 'deidghfir,' meaning 'wanderer' or 'stranger.' It first emerged in the early medieval period, around the 5th to 7th centuries CE, when Ireland and parts of Scotland were populated by Celtic tribes and clans.

Deidra was a feminine form of the masculine name Deidghfir, which was commonly used among the ancient Irish and Scots. The earliest known reference to the name can be found in the Annals of Ulster, an ancient chronicle written by medieval Irish monks, which recorded events from the 5th to the 16th centuries.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Deidra was Deidra of Kildare, an Irish noblewoman who lived in the 8th century CE. She was known for her charitable works and her patronage of the famous Kildare Abbey, one of the most significant monasteries in medieval Ireland.

In the 11th century, a woman named Deidra of Connacht was a prominent figure in Irish history. She was the daughter of the King of Connacht, a powerful Irish province, and played a vital role in negotiating peace treaties between warring clans.

During the 12th century, Deidra mac Domhnaill was a renowned Irish poet and bard. She was celebrated for her eloquent verses and her skill in composing intricate poems and songs in the Gaelic language.

In the 15th century, Deidra O'Donnell was a notable figure in the Irish Renaissance. She was a skilled calligrapher and illuminator, known for her beautiful and intricate manuscript illustrations, which adorned many important texts and religious works of the time.

Another historical figure with the name Deidra was Deidra Stewart, a Scottish noblewoman who lived in the 16th century. She was a influential member of the court of King James V of Scotland and played a significant role in the political affairs of the Scottish monarchy during her lifetime.

While the name Deidra was once quite common in Ireland and Scotland, it became less widely used over time. However, it has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent decades, particularly in English-speaking countries, where it is now considered a unique and distinctive name with a rich historical and cultural heritage.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Deidra was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Deidra, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!