Find out how popular the first name Eoin has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Eoin by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Eoin is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 51 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Eoin.

The history of the first name Eoin

The name Eoin is derived from the Gaelic Eógan, which originated in Ireland in the early medieval period. It is the Irish equivalent of the name Eugene, stemming from the Greek Eugenios, meaning "well-born" or "noble". The name gained widespread usage among the Gaels, particularly in the western regions of Ireland.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Eoin can be found in the Annals of Ulster, which chronicle events in medieval Ireland. The annals mention an individual named Eógan mac Conaill in the 7th century, who was a prominent king of the Cenél Conaill dynasty in present-day County Donegal.

The name Eoin has been associated with various notable figures throughout Irish history. One of the most renowned was Eoin Ruadh Ó Néill, also known as Red Hugh O'Neill (1550-1616), a celebrated Irish chieftain and military leader who spearheaded the Nine Years' War against English rule in Ireland.

Another prominent bearer of the name was Eoin Buitléir, or Owen Butler (1671-1719), an Irish Jacobite soldier and statesman who played a significant role in the Williamite War in Ireland and later served as a member of the Irish Parliament.

In the realm of Irish literature, Eoin MacNeill (1867-1945) was a prominent scholar, writer, and co-founder of the Gaelic League, an organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Irish language and culture.

The name Eoin has also been associated with religious figures, such as Eoin Ó Conchobhair (1570-1635), an Irish Franciscan friar and Archbishop of Armagh, who played a crucial role in the Counter-Reformation in Ireland.

Eoin Cholm Ó Cianáin (1775-1861) was an Irish poet and scribe who is renowned for his contributions to the preservation of Irish literature and language in the face of English suppression.

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 Eoin was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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