Declining since 2021, #2,117 for girls today.
Popularity of Aoife since 1985
Babies named Aoife per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 23 |
| 1990s | 201 |
| 2000s | 503 |
| 2010s | 862 |
| 2020s | 592 |
Meaning & origin
Aoife, currently ranked 2,117th in the United States as of 2025, is a name with deep Irish roots and mythological resonance. Its popularity has shifted notably: after reaching its peak rank in 2022, it entered a period of gradual decline, with the trajectory showing a consistent drop since 2021, placing 1 in 18,264 births in its latest year. The name first appeared on U.S. records in 1985, and its strongest presence has been in states with significant Irish heritage, particularly Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Illinois. While the name remains relatively rare in the broader U.S. context, its lyrical sound and storied past continue to appeal to families seeking a distinctive yet culturally meaningful name outside the mainstream.
Aoife derives from the Old Irish name Aífe, whose meaning is uncertain but often translated as 'beauty' or 'radiance'. In Irish mythology, Aoife was a warrior princess and a mother of the hero Cú Chulainn. The name has been consistently used in Ireland for centuries, gaining wider recognition in English-speaking countries through Irish diaspora and literature.
Where Aoife is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Aoife” around the world
Where Aoife lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
#34
in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Eefa, Effie
Variants: Aífe, Aife
Sibling names for Aoife
Names that share Aoife's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Siobhan, Niamh, Caoimhe, Roisin, Maeve, Aisling, Aislinn, Aislynn, Bridgit, Brigid, Ceara, Ciara, Dara, Enya, Mairead, Oona, Orla, Saoirse, Sinead, Ailish, Brighid, Fiadh, Moya, Aine, Ashling, Clodagh, Eilis, Eilish, Nuala, Oria, Sorcha, Aibhlinn, Cait, Ethne, Fionnuala, Madailein
Brothers: Cian, Finn, Liam, Seamus, Declan, Aedan, Ciaran, Cillian, Eamon, Eamonn, Ean, Eoin, Finnian, Kieran, Kiernan, Kilian, Kyran, Niall, Ronan, Tiernan, Deaglan, Eion, Eoghan, Fergus, Finian, Fionn, Gorman, Keiron, Kieron, Lochlann, Malachy, Oisin, Padraig, Sheamus, Aedin, Daire, Darragh, Kynan, Lorcan, Oniel, Rourke, Ruairi, Breandan, Cathan, Colm, Pearse, Sair, Senan
