What does Aisling mean?
Aisling is the Irish word for “dream” or “vision,” and a genre of visionary poetry.
What does Niamh mean?
Niamh means “bright” or “radiant.” Niamh of the Golden Hair rides to the Otherworld in Irish myth.
Aisling vs Niamh
Which is more popular?
Niamh is more popular than Aisling today: about 43 US babies were given the name Niamh in 2025, compared with 39 named Aisling.
| Aisling | Niamh | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Dream, vision | Bright, radiant |
| Origin | Irish | Irish |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | ASH-ling | NEEV |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| First appeared | 1972 | 1969 |
| Peak year | 2002 (61) | 2008 (74) |
| In 2025 | 39 | 43 |
| Trend | Steady | Declining |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Aisling
Niamh
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Aisling | Niamh |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 227 | 232 |
| 2010s | 422 | 447 |
| 2000s | 407 | 636 |
| 1990s | 296 | 267 |
| 1980s | 166 | 30 |
| 1970s | 15 | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 | 5 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Aisling or Niamh more popular?
Niamh is more popular than Aisling today: about 43 US babies were given the name Niamh in 2025, compared with 39 named Aisling.
What is the difference between Aisling and Niamh?
Aisling means Dream, vision (Irish origin), while Niamh means Bright, radiant (Irish origin).
Which name is older, Aisling or Niamh?
In US records, Aisling first appears in 1972 and Niamh in 1969, so Niamh has the longer recorded history.