What does Morrigan mean?
The Morrigan is an Irish goddess of war and fate; her name is usually read “great queen.”
What does Niamh mean?
Niamh means “bright” or “radiant.” Niamh of the Golden Hair rides to the Otherworld in Irish myth.
Morrigan vs Niamh
Which is more popular?
Morrigan is more popular than Niamh today: about 63 US babies were given the name Morrigan in 2025, compared with 43 named Niamh.
| Morrigan | Niamh | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Great queen | Bright, radiant |
| Origin | Irish | Irish |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | MOR-ih-gan | NEEV |
| Syllables | 3 | 1 |
| First appeared | 1995 | 1969 |
| Peak year | 2023 (69) | 2008 (74) |
| In 2025 | 63 | 43 |
| Trend | Near its peak | Declining |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Morrigan
Niamh
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Morrigan | Niamh |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 309 | 232 |
| 2010s | 423 | 447 |
| 2000s | 322 | 636 |
| 1990s | 85 | 267 |
| 1980s | 0 | 30 |
| 1960s | 0 | 5 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Morrigan or Niamh more popular?
Morrigan is more popular than Niamh today: about 63 US babies were given the name Morrigan in 2025, compared with 43 named Niamh.
What is the difference between Morrigan and Niamh?
Morrigan means Great queen (Irish origin), while Niamh means Bright, radiant (Irish origin).
Which name is older, Morrigan or Niamh?
In US records, Morrigan first appears in 1995 and Niamh in 1969, so Niamh has the longer recorded history.