Find out how popular the first name Dwyer has been for the last 1 years (from 1996 to 1996) and learn more about the meaning and history.
A variant spelling of the Irish surname Dwyer, a derivative of dubh meaning "dark".
Based on the last 1 years of data, Dwyer is exclusively a male name.
For the most recent data in 1996, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Dwyer.
Year | Male Count | Female Count |
---|---|---|
1996 | 5 | 0 |
The name Dwyer has its origins in the Irish language and is derived from the Gaelic word "duibhir," which means "dark" or "swarthy." It is believed to have been initially used as a descriptive term for someone with a dark complexion or hair color.
The name Dwyer can be traced back to medieval Ireland, where it was often found in the form of "Ó Duibhir" or "Ua Duibhir," which translates to "descendant of Duibhir." This suggests that the name was initially a patronymic, meaning it was derived from an ancestor's name or nickname.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Dwyer can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, an extensive chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the 17th century. The annals mention several individuals with the surname Ó Duibhir or Ua Duibhir, indicating that the name was well-established in Ireland during that period.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the first name Dwyer. One of the most renowned was Dwyer Murphy (1885-1954), an Irish-American labor leader and politician who served as the president of the New York City Central Trades and Labor Council. Another prominent figure was Dwyer Donegan (1886-1963), an Irish-American baseball player who spent several seasons in Major League Baseball.
In the realm of literature, Dwyer Joyce (1892-1958) was an Irish novelist and short story writer known for his works exploring the lives of working-class Dubliners. Additionally, Dwyer Barton (1784-1854) was an Irish-American politician and lawyer who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Missouri.
Another notable individual with the first name Dwyer was Dwyer Culkin (1761-1843), an Irish-American architect and engineer who played a significant role in the design and construction of several notable structures in the northeastern United States, including the Old State House in Hartford, Connecticut.
While the name Dwyer has its roots in Ireland, it has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly in regions with large Irish diasporas, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
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 Dwyer was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.
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"Dwyer first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 23, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/dwyer-meaning-and-history/.
"Dwyer first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/dwyer-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 23 May, 2025
Dwyer first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/dwyer-meaning-and-history/.
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