What does Cathal mean?
Cathal joins the Irish words for “battle” and “rule,” “strong in battle.”
What does Diarmuid mean?
Diarmuid is usually read “without envy.” Diarmuid Ua Duibhne is a hero of the Fianna.
Cathal vs Diarmuid
Which is more popular?
Cathal and Diarmuid are given to a similar number of US babies today.
| Cathal | Diarmuid | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Strong in battle | Without envy |
| Origin | Irish | Irish |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | KAH-hal | DEER-mid |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1998 | 2009 |
| Peak year | 2000 (10) | 2013 (6) |
| In 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| Trend | Declining | Declining |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Cathal
Diarmuid
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Cathal | Diarmuid |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 5 | 6 |
| 2000s | 29 | 5 |
| 1990s | 6 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Cathal or Diarmuid more popular?
Cathal and Diarmuid are given to a similar number of US babies today.
What is the difference between Cathal and Diarmuid?
Cathal means Strong in battle (Irish origin), while Diarmuid means Without envy (Irish origin).
Which name is older, Cathal or Diarmuid?
In US records, Cathal first appears in 1998 and Diarmuid in 2009, so Cathal has the longer recorded history.