Declining since 2009, #10,695 for boys today.
Popularity of Tighe since 1949
Babies named Tighe per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 9 |
| 1950s | 6 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 92 |
| 1980s | 75 |
| 1990s | 84 |
| 2000s | 122 |
| 2010s | 102 |
| 2020s | 34 |
Meaning & origin
Tighe is a rare Irish name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1949, peaking in popularity in 1979. Its trajectory has been falling since 2009, and in 2025 it ranked 10,695th, with a 1-in-284,679 incidence. The name is likely a variant of Tadhg, meaning 'poet' or 'philosopher', though its exact derivation is uncertain. Tighe has no recorded top states, suggesting its usage is highly scattered across the country. For parents seeking an uncommon Irish name with a strong literary association, Tighe offers a distinctive choice.
Tighe is predominantly an Irish surname and given name, likely derived from the Irish Gaelic Tadhg, meaning 'poet' or 'philosopher'. As a given name, it emerged in the mid-20th century, first recorded in the United States in 1949. Its usage has been rare, never ranking among the most popular names, and its trajectory has been falling since 2009.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Tighe
Names that share Tighe's style, for a brother or sister.
