What does Niamh mean?
Niamh means “bright” or “radiant.” Niamh of the Golden Hair rides to the Otherworld in Irish myth.
What does Aisling mean?
Aisling is the Irish word for “dream” or “vision,” and a genre of visionary poetry.
Niamh vs Aisling
Which is more popular?
Niamh is more popular than Aisling today: about 43 US babies were given the name Niamh in 2025, compared with 39 named Aisling.
| Niamh | Aisling | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Bright, radiant | Dream, vision |
| Origin | Irish | Irish |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | NEEV | ASH-ling |
| Syllables | 1 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1969 | 1972 |
| Peak year | 2008 (74) | 2002 (61) |
| In 2025 | 43 | 39 |
| Trend | Declining | Steady |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Niamh
Aisling
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Niamh | Aisling |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 232 | 227 |
| 2010s | 447 | 422 |
| 2000s | 636 | 407 |
| 1990s | 267 | 296 |
| 1980s | 30 | 166 |
| 1970s | 0 | 15 |
| 1960s | 5 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Niamh or Aisling more popular?
Niamh is more popular than Aisling today: about 43 US babies were given the name Niamh in 2025, compared with 39 named Aisling.
What is the difference between Niamh and Aisling?
Niamh means Bright, radiant (Irish origin), while Aisling means Dream, vision (Irish origin).
Which name is older, Niamh or Aisling?
In US records, Niamh first appears in 1969 and Aisling in 1972, so Niamh has the longer recorded history.