What does Niamh mean?
Niamh means “bright” or “radiant.” Niamh of the Golden Hair rides to the Otherworld in Irish myth.
What does Sinead mean?
Sinéad is an Irish form of Jane/Jeanette, ultimately “God is gracious.”
Niamh vs Sinead
Which is more popular?
Niamh is more popular than Sinead today: about 43 US babies were given the name Niamh in 2025, compared with 11 named Sinead.
| Niamh | Sinead | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Bright, radiant | God is gracious |
| Origin | Irish | Irish |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | NEEV | shin-AYD |
| Syllables | 1 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1969 | 1975 |
| Peak year | 2008 (74) | 1990 (160) |
| In 2025 | 43 | 11 |
| Trend | Declining | Declining |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Niamh
Sinead
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Niamh | Sinead |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 232 | 60 |
| 2010s | 447 | 118 |
| 2000s | 636 | 295 |
| 1990s | 267 | 627 |
| 1980s | 30 | 182 |
| 1970s | 0 | 58 |
| 1960s | 5 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Niamh or Sinead more popular?
Niamh is more popular than Sinead today: about 43 US babies were given the name Niamh in 2025, compared with 11 named Sinead.
What is the difference between Niamh and Sinead?
Niamh means Bright, radiant (Irish origin), while Sinead means God is gracious (Irish origin).
Which name is older, Niamh or Sinead?
In US records, Niamh first appears in 1969 and Sinead in 1975, so Niamh has the longer recorded history.