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Aoife

♀ Girl

Pronounced EE-fuh /ˈiː.fə/High

Meaning: radiant beauty, joyfulnessHigh

In 30 seconds: Aoife is a beloved Irish name meaning radiant beauty, pronounced EE-fuh. It is one of the most popular girls' names in Ireland and carries rich mythological heritage.
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Origin HighIrish
Meaningradiant beauty, joyfulness
U.S. rank (2024)#2230 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births84 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2018
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,093

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201819852024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Aoife (pronounced EE-fuh) is one of the oldest and most celebrated Irish feminine names, derived from aoibh meaning radiant beauty or joyfulness. In medieval Irish mythology, Aoife appears as a powerful warrior figure connected to the Cú Chulainn cycle.

Aoife has remained consistently popular in Ireland for centuries. In modern Ireland, it has ranked among the top ten girls' names since the 1990s. Outside Ireland, it is gaining recognition as Irish heritage names rise globally, though the non-intuitive spelling can cause pronunciation challenges.

Did you know? In Irish mythology, Aoife was the greatest female warrior in the world — a fierce rival of the hero Cú Chulainn and mother of his son Connla.
Overall data confidence 90%
Ó Corráin & Maguire, Gaelic Personal Names — reference for AoifeBehind the Name: Aoife — name etymology referenceCentral Statistics Office Ireland — reference for Aoife

Variations

EvaAoibheAva

Nicknames

EefFee

Famous Bearers

  • ★Aoife (mythological)
    Fearsome woman warrior of the Ulster Cycle in Irish mythology, rival of Scáthach and of the hero Cú Chulainn, with whom she had a son.
  • ★Aoife O'Donovan (1982–present)
    American folk and bluegrass singer-songwriter, lead singer of Crooked Still and a member of the trio I'm With Her.

If you like Aoife…

Saoirse— classic Irish name with mythological roots and silent letters
Niamh— Irish mythological name similarly counterintuitive to spell
Caoimhe— Irish name with comparable ancient roots
Siobhan— beloved Irish name famous for unexpected pronunciation
Roisin— Irish diminutive name with similar lyrical quality

Frequently Asked

What does Aoife mean?

Aoife means radiant beauty or joyfulness, from the Old Irish word aoibh.

How do you pronounce Aoife?

Aoife is pronounced EE-fuh (/ˈiː.fə/), with two syllables. The spelling can be misleading for non-Irish speakers.

Is Aoife a girl's name?

Yes, Aoife is an exclusively feminine Irish name with ancient mythological and historical use.

How popular is the name Aoife?

Aoife has been one of the most popular girls' names in Ireland since the 1990s and is gaining recognition internationally.