Home › Baby Names Directory › Saoirse

Saoirse

♀ Girl

Pronounced SUR-shuh /ˈsɪər.ʃə/High

Meaning: Freedom, liberty; from Irish Gaelic saoirse (freedom)High

In 30 seconds: An Irish Gaelic name meaning 'freedom' or 'liberty.' Its spelling is notoriously deceptive for non-Irish speakers — it is said SUR-shuh — giving it a captivating mystery as well as a profound political meaning.

💕 Browse more names

Origin HighIrish

MeaningFreedom, liberty; from Irish Gaelic saoirse (freedom)

U.S. rank (2025)#1089 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births222 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2020

Total births (all-time)≈ 4,064

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Saoirse (Irish Gaelic: saoirse, freedom, liberty) became a given name in Ireland in the early 20th century, particularly around the time of Irish independence in 1922. The concept of freedom had profound political resonance in post-colonial Ireland. The name is difficult to pronounce from spelling alone for non-Irish speakers, as Irish Gaelic spelling follows its own phonological rules.

Saoirse has been used in Ireland since the early 20th century and gained international visibility through actress Saoirse Ronan. It appeared in U.S. birth data in the 2010s and ranked #1036 for girls in 2024.

Did you know? Saoirse became common as a given name in Ireland around 1922, the year of Irish independence — parents used it as a patriotic declaration of the new state's freedom.

Overall data confidence 96%

Behind the Name — Saoirse — Irish Gaelic etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

—

Nicknames

SerShur

Famous Bearers

★Saoirse Ronan (1994–present)
Irish-American actress known for Lady Bird, Brooklyn, and Little Women. Her fame has introduced the name and its pronunciation to international audiences.

If you like Saoirse…

Liberty— the English equivalent virtue name meaning freedom

Brianna— Irish-origin name popular in the same Celtic tradition

Siobhan— Irish Gaelic name with an equally counterintuitive spelling (said shih-VAWN)

Aoife— Irish Gaelic name with surprising pronunciation (EE-fah) in the same tradition

Explore names like Saoirse

By themeirish virtue gaelic celtic patriotic

By meaningFreedom

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Saoirse mean?

Saoirse means 'freedom' or 'liberty' in Irish Gaelic. It became a given name around 1922, the year of Irish independence.

How do you pronounce Saoirse?

It's said SUR-shuh — two syllables, stress on the first. The spelling is deceptive to non-Irish-speakers.

Is Saoirse a boy or girl name?

Saoirse is used as a girls' name.

How popular is Saoirse?

Saoirse ranked #1036 for U.S. girls in 2024.