What does Clodagh mean?
Clodagh takes its name from a river in County Tipperary.
What does Nuala mean?
Nuala is a short form of Fionnuala, “fair-shouldered.”
Clodagh vs Nuala
Which is more popular?
Clodagh is more popular than Nuala today: about 9 US babies were given the name Clodagh in 2025, compared with 7 named Nuala.
| Clodagh | Nuala | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | From the River Clóideach | Fair shoulder |
| Origin | Irish | Irish |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | KLOH-dah | NOO-uh-luh |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1998 | 1948 |
| Peak year | 2009 (15) | 2009 (26) |
| In 2025 | 9 | 7 |
| Trend | Steady | Declining |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Clodagh
Nuala
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Clodagh | Nuala |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 55 | 47 |
| 2010s | 76 | 118 |
| 2000s | 68 | 99 |
| 1990s | 10 | 5 |
| 1970s | 0 | 20 |
| 1960s | 0 | 58 |
| 1950s | 0 | 10 |
| 1940s | 0 | 6 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Clodagh or Nuala more popular?
Clodagh is more popular than Nuala today: about 9 US babies were given the name Clodagh in 2025, compared with 7 named Nuala.
What is the difference between Clodagh and Nuala?
Clodagh means From the River Clóideach (Irish origin), while Nuala means Fair shoulder (Irish origin).
Which name is older, Clodagh or Nuala?
In US records, Clodagh first appears in 1998 and Nuala in 1948, so Nuala has the longer recorded history.