Origin, Meaning, And History Of Tierney
Tierney is a popular first and last name that has Irish roots and is gender-neutral. The term ‘tiarna,’ which means ‘lord, master,’ is the basis of the name. Tierney also derives from the surname O’Tierney, which is an Anglicized version of the Gaelic ‘Tghearnaigh,’ which means ‘descendant of a lord.’
The name is said to be borne by an Irish saint, the founder of the monastery at Clones in the 6th century. As people of Irish origin migrated, the surname Tierney has gained popularity worldwide. It is also believed that during the sixth century, in Ireland the most attractive single girl in the village would be called Tierney.
The phonetic spelling of the name is teer-nee.The name Tierney is also spelled Tiernee, Tearney and Tearnee.Other variations of the name are Tierneigh, Tiernie and Tiernan.
The name has also appeared frequently in pop culture, mostly as a surname. Tierney James, a character from the novel The Grace Year, is one of the few instances when it has been used as a first name. One of the main characters in the 1958 American horror film, Terror in the Haunted House wasPhillip Tierney, portrayed by actor Gerald Mohr. The protagonist of the 2008 American crime drama, Pride and Glory, was namedDetective Ray Tierneyplayed by Edward Norton. The Irish TV series Strumpet City had a character namedRashers Tierneyplayed by David Kelly. In literature the name appears in the Evernight series of fantasy novels by American author Claudia Gray.Skye Tierneyis a student at the Evernight Academy and first appears in the book Afterlife. The 1980 film Friday the 13th has a police officer character named Sergeant Tierney.
Some notable personalities having Tierney as their surname are American film and stage actressGene Tierney, American businessman and former publisher of The Philadelphia InquirerBrian Tierney, and American mathematician and professor,Myles Tierney.
How To Pronounce Tierney?
Famous People With The Name Tierney
- Tierney GearonAmerican photographer known for her work in Saatchi Gallery
- Tierney SuttonAmerican jazz singer, nominated nine times for the Grammy Awards.
- Tierney ThysAmerican marine biologist, National Geographic explorer and science educator.
Tierney On The Popularity Chart
The popularity of Tierney has varied over time. Learn more about its popularity in the graphs provided below.
Popularity Over Time
Tierney’s popularity peaked in 1993 when 172 babies out of every million were given the name. After that, its popularity began to decline.
Source:Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
Tierney’s position in the rankings peaked in 1985 when it was ranked 1,573. Since then it has gradually declined.
Source:Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Tierney
Like the sound of Tierney and are looking for more options that sound similar? Consider the names provided below.
Popular Sibling Names For Tierney
Other Popular Names Beginning With T
Names With Similar Meaning As Tierney
In case you’re looking for more names with the same meaning as Tierney, take a look at some suggestions.
Infographic: Know The Name’s Personality As Per Numerology
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How To Communicate The Name In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
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In Sign Language
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In Braille Alphabet
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In Morse Code
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Name Numerology For Tierney
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Tierney?
The name Tierney means ‘lord.’
2. What is the origin of the name Tierney?
Tierney has Irish origin.
3. How to pronounce the name Tierney?
Tierney is pronounced as tee-uh-nee.
4. How many people are named Tierney?
The popularity of this name fluctuated quite a lot over the years. While in 1993, 172 babies per million shared this name, in 2021, only 30 babies per million were given this name (1).
5. Is Tierney a Catholic name?
Tierney is derived from an Old Irish word meaning ‘lord’ and has no religious connections. However, it can be used by Catholics as well as it has a strong meaning.
6. Are there any famous or notable individuals named Tierney?
There are several famous people named Tierney or having the surname of Tierney. Those having Tierney as a first name are Tierney Gearon, an American photographer who displays her work at the Saatchi Gallery; Tierney Sutton, an American jazz singer who is a nine-time nominee for the Grammy Awards; and Tierney Thys, an American marine biologist and National Geographic explorer. Those with Tierney as a last name include Gene Tierney, a popular American film actress in the 1940s; Maura Tierney, an American actress known for her roles in the TV series “ER” and “The Affair;” and Lawrence Tierney, an American film and TV actor known for his supporting roles in various films over 50 years.
7. What are some middle names that pair well with Tierney?
Tierney is an Irish name derived from a surname and it is also the name of a saint. You can use middle names that relate to these aspects. Alexis and Claude are names of saints. Blake and Gray are surnames-turned-names and can form great middle names with Tierney.
References:
- Popularity of name Tierney.
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/
