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