Irish girls' name meaning 'gentle' and 'precious' that parents adore

Irish parents adore a traditional name for girls that means 'gentle' , 'precious', and 'beautiful'. Although it is a popular choice for parents of newborns in Ireland, it is one that Americans never really hear .

For those who don't understand the rules and conventions of the Irish language , it is a tricky one to pronounce . But when you learn how to say it and what it means, you will fall in love with it.

The Irish name for girls we are talking about is Caoimhe. Caoimhe, with its many vowels, is a tough one to work out for those who didn't grow up in Ireland surrounded by Irish names and the Irish language.

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Caoimhe actually has two possible pronunciations, depending on who you ask. Some people pronounce it as 'kwee-va', whereas other people pronounce it as 'kee-va'.

Some sources suggest that the name Caoimhe is derived from the Irish word caomh and the Old Irish word cóem. Both mean 'dear' and 'noble.

However, a possible origin of this lovely Irish name for girls is the male name Caoimhín, which is the Irish version of Kevin. In Ireland, Caoimhe has been a popular choice for parents over the years.

In 2023, the name Caoimhe was given to a total of 158 baby girls born in Ireland. That cements it as the 126th most popular name for girls in the country last year.

Irish names that were given to a similar number of baby girls in Ireland last year include Croía, Saoirse, and Cara. Meanwhile, other Irish names for girls proved hugely popular.

Towards the top of the list, there are names like Fiadh and Éabha. Meanwhile, Irish names such as Oisín, Fionn, and Rían proved popular for baby boys born in Ireland last year.

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In the US, a number of Irish names proved popular for parents welcoming new arrivals in 2023. For boys, the most popular name was Liam, which is originally an Irish name.

Irish surnames like Sloane and Kennedy proved to be popular first names for baby girls born in the US last year.

For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here .