What does Eilidh mean?
Eilidh is a Scottish Gaelic name linked to Helen, “sun” or “light.”
What does Kirsty mean?
Kirsty is a Scottish form of Christine, “follower of Christ.”
Eilidh vs Kirsty
Which is more popular?
Eilidh is more popular than Kirsty today: about 12 US babies were given the name Eilidh in 2025, compared with 0 named Kirsty.
| Eilidh | Kirsty | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Sun, light | Follower of Christ |
| Origin | Scottish | Scottish |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | AY-lee | KEER-stee |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1999 | 1961 |
| Peak year | 2019 (18) | 1991 (99) |
| In 2025 | 12 | 0 |
| Trend | Rising | Vintage |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Eilidh
Kirsty
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Eilidh | Kirsty |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 81 | 0 |
| 2010s | 108 | 10 |
| 2000s | 81 | 81 |
| 1990s | 5 | 508 |
| 1980s | 0 | 179 |
| 1970s | 0 | 130 |
| 1960s | 0 | 37 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Eilidh or Kirsty more popular?
Eilidh is more popular than Kirsty today: about 12 US babies were given the name Eilidh in 2025, compared with 0 named Kirsty.
What is the difference between Eilidh and Kirsty?
Eilidh means Sun, light (Scottish origin), while Kirsty means Follower of Christ (Scottish origin).
Which name is older, Eilidh or Kirsty?
In US records, Eilidh first appears in 1999 and Kirsty in 1961, so Kirsty has the longer recorded history.