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Home › Baby Names Directory › Tierney

Tierney

♀ Girl

Pronounced TEER-nee /ˈtir.ni/High

Meaning: From the Irish O Tighearnaigh — 'a descendant of Tighearnach; lordly, masterful' (tighearna, 'a lord, a master'); used for both sexes; here for girls; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: A descendant of a lord; lordly: Tierney is an Irish surname — 'lordly'. Crisp, modern, and warm. Used for both sexes (here for girls).
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Origin LowIrish
MeaningFrom the Irish O Tighearnaigh — 'a descendant of Tighearnach; lordly, masterful' (tighearna, 'a lord, a master'); used for both sexes; here for girls; routes layered
U.S. rank (2025)#7456 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births15 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1993
Total births (all-time)≈ 3,956

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199319572025

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

Tierney comes from the Irish surname O Tighearnaigh — 'a descendant of Tighearnach; lordly, masterful' (from tighearna, 'a lord, a master'; routes layered, which we note). A crisp, modern name, used for both sexes, here for girls (the actress Gene Tierney; nickname Tier).

It registers thinly for girls. Rare, a-descendant-of-a-lord at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Tierney comes from the Irish O Tighearnaigh, 'a descendant of Tighearnach; lordly, masterful' (tighearna, 'a lord') — a crisp, modern surname-name, used for both sexes (here for girls; the routes are layered; said 'TEER-nee').
Overall data confidence 48%
References — Tierney — surname; routes layered

Variations

TighearnachTearney

Nicknames

Tier

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Tierney…

Kinsey— a sound-neighbor Irish surname unisex girls' name
Delaney— a fellow Irish surname girls' name
Quinn— a companion Irish unisex girls' name
Rooney— another Irish surname unisex girls' name

Explore names like Tierney

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Tierney mean?

Tierney is an Irish surname — 'a descendant of a lord; lordly, masterful'; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Tierney?

It's said TEER-nee /ˈtir.ni/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Tierney a boy or girl name?

Tierney is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a girl's name.

How popular is Tierney?

Tierney is a rare name in the U.S.

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