Origin, Meaning, And History Of Deirdre
Deirdre, a name of English and Irish origins, is a feminine name. Its precise meaning remains uncertain, but it is believed to have derived from the Old Irish word ‘der,’ which translates to ‘daughter.’ In Irish mythology, Deirdre was a tragic figure whose heart was shattered when she was compelled to marry King Conchobar of Ulster and bore witness to her lover Naoise’s murder.
The name gained popularity in the 20th century after its appearance in two influential plays: William Butler Yeats’ ‘Deirdre‘ and J. M. Synge’s ‘Deirdre of the Sorrows.’ Variants of the name includeDeidra,Deidre, Deitra, and Derdriu. While the exact meaning of Deirdre is subject to debate, it often evokes associations of sorrow and sacrifice. Despite its rich Celtic history, some perceive the name as less vibrant than recent Irish name imports.
The pronunciation of Deirdre in English is DIR-drə or DYEHR-dryə in Irish. It can also be pronounced as DEER-drə or deer-drah. Names similar to Deirdre include Dee and Deidre. Deirdre has various associated nicknames, such asDee, Didi,Deedee, andEllie. Another variation is Deedee Belle.
Deirdre appears in different categories, encompassing fictional television characters, notable actors and actresses, and Olympic medalists. Dee Mitchell, also known as Deirdre, is a character in the TV shows ‘Moesha‘ and ‘The Parkers.’
In Irish mythology, Deirdre is a tragic heroine known as ‘Deirdre of the Sorrows.‘ Deirdre has been featured in works such as John Millington Synge’s play ‘Deirdre‘ and a song by the Beach Boys.
Additionally, it is associated with characters from popular culture, including Nancy Drew’s nemesis, a character in Augusten Burroughs’ ‘Running with Scissors,‘ and characters from the TV series ‘Coronation Street‘ and ‘Derry Girls.‘
Noteworthy actresses named Deirdre include Deirdre Lenihan and Deirdre Lovejoy. Dede Barry, also known as Deirdre, earned a silver medal in cycling at the 2004 Olympics.
Dierdre
Boy
Christianity
Scottish
How To Pronounce Dierdre?
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Listen to the sound of the name Dierdre in English.
Famous People With The Name Deirdre
- Deirdre SullivanIrish children’s writer and poet, achieved numerous accolades including winning the Irish Book Awards’ ‘Short Story of the Year’.
- Deirdre MullinsIrish actress, director, and activist, gained fame for her award-winning performance in The Dark Mile (2017).
- Deirdre McCloskeyAmerican professor, achieved six honorary doctorates and received the Julian L. Simon Memorial Award for advancing human achievement.
- Deirdre MaddenIrish novelist, famous for her award-winning works, exploring religious and political turmoil.
- Deirdre BairAmerican biographer, winning a National Book Award for her biography of Samuel Beckett.
- Deirdre HargeyIrish politician; served as the Minister for Communities and Lord Mayor of Belfast.
Names With Similar Sound As Deirdre
Looking for a name similar in sound to Deirdre? Take a look at this collection of names that share a similar phonetic quality.
Popular Sibling Names For Dierdre
If you are looking for some matching sibling names that resonate with Dierdre, check our suggestions here.
Boy Sibling Names For Dierdre
Find matching brother names for Dierdre and create a wonderful team of siblings.
Dardura
Daridra
Dhrtaraja
Dhrtarastra
Dhrtarcis
Dierdra
Drdharuci
Duartr
Duradhara
Durdarsin
Girl Sibling Names For Dierdre
Looking for some suitable sister names for Dierdre? Check out our collection of beautiful and unique names.
Daritree
Deirdra
Deirdre
Dhriti
Dhruti
Dordi
Dorete
Dorette
Dorit
Dorita
Other Popular Names Beginning With D
Looking for more baby names starting with the letter D to resonate with your family’s naming tradition or to rhyme with the sibling names? Find a range of alternative names starting with this letter.
Names With Similar Meaning As Deirdre
If the meaning of Deirdre strikes a chord with you and you want to explore more names with similar meanings, take a look at these alternatives.
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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 Dierdre
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Dierdre?
The name Dierdre means ‘a daughter.’
2. What is the origin of the name Dierdre?
Dierdre has a Scottish origin.
3. What middle names go well with the name Dierdre?
Boann (white, fair), Feidlimid (ever good), Muirgen (born of the sea),Niamh(bright), andSaraid(excellent) are some middle names that go well with the name Dierdre. They are feminine names associated with Irish mythology and provide a cultural connection as a unique middle name.
4. Who are the famous people or celebrities with the name Dierdre?
Deidre Downs Gunn, an American physician and former beauty pageant winner, held the Miss Alabama 2004 and Miss America 2005 titles. Deirdre Madden, a Northern Irish novelist, has won numerous awards, including the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature, the Somerset Maugham Award, and the Hennessy Award. In addition, Deirdre O’Connell, an American actress with a broad stage, screen, and television career, has earned a Tony Award and multiple Drama Desk Award nominations.
5. Who are the famous fictional characters with the name Dierdre?
Deirdre Beaubeirdre is a character from the hit movie Everything Everywhere All at Once, directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert. For the portrayal of this character, Jamie Lee Curtis won Best Supporting Actress at the 95th Academy Award.
6. Who are the famous athletes or sports persons with the name Dierdre?
Deirdre Gogarty is a retired Irish female boxer who held the Women’s World Featherweight Championship title in the WIBF (Women’s International Boxing Federation) and is currently the coach of the Ragin’ Cajun Boxing Club. Deirdre Duke represented Ireland as a women’s field hockey international and was a part of the Ireland team that reached the final of the 2018 Women’s Hockey World Cup. Also, Deirdre Ryan, an Irish high jumper, participated in the 2012 Olympic Games.
7. Who are the famous actresses or actors named Dierdre?
Deirdre Lovejoy is an American actress who gained recognition for portraying Assistant State’s Attorney Rhonda Pearlman in HBO’s The Wire. Additionally, she is notable for her performances as the serial killer Heather Taffet (also known as “The Gravedigger”) in the Fox series Bones and as White House Counsel Cynthia Panabaker in NBC’s The Blacklist.
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