Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Deidra

Deidra

♀ Girl

Pronounced DEE-druh /ˈdiː.drə/High

Meaning: Deidra is a simplified spelling of Deirdre, the tragic heroine of Irish legend whose name is traditionally linked to a root meaning 'sorrowful' or 'raging.' The plainer spelling smooths the Gaelic original for American readers.Medium

In 30 seconds: Deidra is Deirdre made easy to read (said 'DEE-druh'). The legendary name is linked to 'sorrowful.'
💕 Browse more names
Origin MediumIrish
MeaningDeidra is a simplified spelling of Deirdre, the tragic heroine of Irish legend whose name is traditionally linked to a root meaning 'sorrowful' or 'raging.' The plainer spelling smooths the Gaelic original for American readers.
U.S. rank (2020)#15703 ↘ Falling
2020 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1980
Total births (all-time)≈ 10,287

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198019412020

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Deidra is one of the Americanized spellings of Deirdre, the doomed beauty of the Ulster Cycle whose name is usually glossed 'sorrowful' or 'she who rages.' The simplified form spread at mid-to-late century and peaked around 1980, then eased off.

A Deidra from her peak is now in her mid-forties, a Gen-X cohort name. The phonetic spelling reads as of its era; namers drawn to the sound today may reach for Deirdre itself, so Deidra stays a period variant.

Did you know? Deidra peaked around 1980, when the mournful Irish legend name was softened into several phonetic spellings that circulated together across American nurseries.
Overall data confidence 78%
References — Deidra — Respelling of Deirdre (Irish legend, 'sorrowful'); ~1980 peak

Variations

DeirdreDeidreDedra

Nicknames

DeeDidi

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Deidra…

Deirdre— the traditional Irish spelling Deidra simplifies
Deidre— a like phonetic spelling of the same name
Sandra— a same-era two-syllable girls' name
Audra— a like -dra name with a vintage feel

Explore names like Deidra

By themerespellingirish1980s

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Deidra mean?

Deidra is a respelling of Deirdre, an Irish name traditionally linked to 'sorrowful' or 'raging.'

How do you pronounce Deidra?

It's said DEE-druh /ˈdiː.drə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Deidra a boy or girl name?

Deidra is used as a girl's name, a spelling of Deirdre.

How popular is Deidra?

Deidra was a favorite that peaked around the start of the eighties and has been uncommon since.

💬 Ask Nia