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