Find out how popular the first name Muireann has been for the last 8 years (from 2008 to 2015) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Muireann by gender

Based on the last 8 years of data, Muireann is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2015, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Muireann.

The history of the first name Muireann

Muireann is an Irish feminine given name derived from the Old Irish Muire, which is the Irish version of the name Mary. The name Muire itself comes from the Hebrew name Miriam, which means "bitter" or "beloved." The variant spelling Muireann is believed to have originated in the 5th or 6th century CE, during the Early Christian period in Ireland.

The name Muireann is deeply rooted in Irish culture and has been used for centuries. It is often associated with the Virgin Mary, who holds a significant place in Irish Catholicism. The name may have been popularized by early Irish saints or religious figures who venerated the Virgin Mary.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Muireann is found in the Annals of Ulster, an ancient chronicle of medieval Irish history. The Annals mention a Muireann ingen Írgallaig, who died in 629 CE. This suggests that the name was in use among the Irish as early as the 7th century.

Throughout history, several notable Irish women have borne the name Muireann. One example is Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin (c. 1635-1711), an Irish noblewoman and landowner who played a role in the Williamite War in Ireland in the late 17th century.

Another famous Muireann was Muireann Ní Mhóráin (1700-1776), a renowned Irish poet and composer from County Mayo. Her compositions, known as aisling poems, were celebrated for their beauty and lyricism.

In the 20th century, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh (1915-1987) was a prominent Irish language activist and educator from County Donegal. She played a significant role in promoting the use of the Irish language and its cultural heritage.

Muireann Maguire (1925-2018) was an Irish politician and activist who served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the Ulster Unionist Party from 1979 to 1989. She was a vocal advocate for women's rights and social justice issues.

Muireann O'Connell (born 1980) is a contemporary Irish television presenter and radio personality. She has hosted various shows on Irish television and radio, including "The Six O'Clock Show" and "Today FM."

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

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

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