What does Darragh mean?
Darragh means “oak tree” in Irish, a symbol of strength.
What does Cathal mean?
Cathal joins the Irish words for “battle” and “rule,” “strong in battle.”
Darragh vs Cathal
Which is more popular?
Darragh is more popular than Cathal today: about 9 US babies were given the name Darragh in 2025, compared with 0 named Cathal.
| Darragh | Cathal | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Oak tree | Strong in battle |
| Origin | Irish | Irish |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | DAH-ruh | KAH-hal |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1987 | 1998 |
| Peak year | 2021 (16) | 2000 (10) |
| In 2025 | 9 | 0 |
| Trend | Steady | Declining |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Darragh
Cathal
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Darragh | Cathal |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 69 | 0 |
| 2010s | 81 | 5 |
| 2000s | 86 | 29 |
| 1990s | 23 | 6 |
| 1980s | 6 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Darragh or Cathal more popular?
Darragh is more popular than Cathal today: about 9 US babies were given the name Darragh in 2025, compared with 0 named Cathal.
What is the difference between Darragh and Cathal?
Darragh means Oak tree (Irish origin), while Cathal means Strong in battle (Irish origin).
Which name is older, Darragh or Cathal?
In US records, Darragh first appears in 1987 and Cathal in 1998, so Darragh has the longer recorded history.