Saoirse

Saoirse is a modern Irish female name. Quite simply, “saoirse” is the Irish-Gaelic word for “freedom” – so it was with very little surprise we learned that the name has only been in circulation since the 1920s. The word’s significance is clearly connected to the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921) which culminated in the creation of “Saorstát Éireann”, or, as we say in English, The Irish Free State (established December 1922). The Irish Free State was eventually renamed Ireland (or Éire to the native Gaels), and remains an independent sovereign state while six counties in Northern Ireland choose to remain with Great Britain. Given Ireland’s long 400+ year history of plundering, mistreatment, oppression and extreme religious intolerance at the hands of England, the Emerald Isle’s hard-won “saoirse” has stronger undercurrents of patriotism than one can imagine. As a female given name, Saoirse has really come into vogue in Ireland in the 21st century, especially as the revival of Irish-Gaelic pride remains strong. In fact, Saoirse is a Top 20 favorite baby girl’s name in her native land, and she does modestly well in Northern Ireland, as well.