What does Nuala mean?
Nuala is a short form of Fionnuala, “fair-shouldered.”
What does Clodagh mean?
Clodagh takes its name from a river in County Tipperary.
Nuala vs Clodagh
Which is more popular?
Clodagh is more popular than Nuala today: about 9 US babies were given the name Clodagh in 2025, compared with 7 named Nuala.
| Nuala | Clodagh | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Fair shoulder | From the River Clóideach |
| Origin | Irish | Irish |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | NOO-uh-luh | KLOH-dah |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1948 | 1998 |
| Peak year | 2009 (26) | 2009 (15) |
| In 2025 | 7 | 9 |
| Trend | Declining | Steady |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Nuala
Clodagh
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Nuala | Clodagh |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 47 | 55 |
| 2010s | 118 | 76 |
| 2000s | 99 | 68 |
| 1990s | 5 | 10 |
| 1970s | 20 | 0 |
| 1960s | 58 | 0 |
| 1950s | 10 | 0 |
| 1940s | 6 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Nuala or Clodagh more popular?
Clodagh is more popular than Nuala today: about 9 US babies were given the name Clodagh in 2025, compared with 7 named Nuala.
What is the difference between Nuala and Clodagh?
Nuala means Fair shoulder (Irish origin), while Clodagh means From the River Clóideach (Irish origin).
Which name is older, Nuala or Clodagh?
In US records, Nuala first appears in 1948 and Clodagh in 1998, so Nuala has the longer recorded history.