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Home › Baby Names Directory › Fionnuala

Fionnuala

♀ Girl

Pronounced fih-NOO-uh-luh /fɪˈnuː.ə.lə/Medium

Meaning: From the Irish Fionnuala, 'white shoulder; fair-shouldered' (fionn, 'fair; white,' plus guala, 'shoulder') - the name of the daughter of Lir in the Children of Lir legend, turned into a swan.Low

In 30 seconds: A legend-rich Irish name: Fionnuala means 'white shoulder' (said 'fih-NOO-uh-luh'). Lyrical and mythic.
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Origin MediumIrish
MeaningFrom the Irish Fionnuala, 'white shoulder; fair-shouldered' (fionn, 'fair; white,' plus guala, 'shoulder') - the name of the daughter of Lir in the Children of Lir legend, turned into a swan.
U.S. rank (2024)#16027 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2010
Total births (all-time)≈ 158

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201019852024

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

Fionnuala is Irish for 'fair-shouldered,' the swan-daughter of the Children of Lir legend. It reads lyrical and mythic - extremely rare in the U.S. (said 'fih-NOO-uh-luh').

It is extremely rare in the U.S.

Did you know? Fionnuala is Irish for 'white shoulder; fair-shouldered' - the name of Lir's daughter in the Children of Lir, who was turned into a swan for centuries - a lyrical, mythic name (said 'fih-NOO-uh-luh').
Overall data confidence 50%
References - Fionnuala — Irish 'white shoulder'; Children of Lir

Variations

FinolaFionnulaFenella

Nicknames

NualaFee

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Fionnuala mean?

Fionnuala is Irish for 'white shoulder'; the daughter of Lir in the Children of Lir legend.

How do you pronounce Fionnuala?

It's said fih-NOO-uh-luh /fɪˈnuː.ə.lə/ - four syllables, stress on the second.

Is Fionnuala a boy or girl name?

Fionnuala is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Fionnuala?

Fionnuala is extremely rare in the U.S.

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