"pleasant, agreeable"
Origin: Old Irish
Language: Irish
Aoife
Does Aoife flow with your last name?
Ireland's most beloved name—fierce, beautiful, and mythic
Irish
Scottish
Irish-American
Literary
Earthy
Elegant
Vintage
Strong
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Aoife
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Aoife
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Aoife
See all →What the Aoife report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Aoife the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Aoife
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Aoife head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Aoife actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
Things to Know About This Name
- The spelling is extremely counterintuitive for non-Irish speakers, leading to frequent mispronunciation outside Ireland
The Story of Aoife
Aoife (pronounced EE-fah) is one of the oldest Irish names, derived from the Old Irish 'aoibh' meaning 'beauty' or 'radiance.' In Irish mythology, Aoife was a renowned warrior woman—sometimes described as the fiercest woman in the world—who was the rival and later lover of the hero Cú Chulainn. In the legend of the Children of Lir, Aoife is the jealous stepmother who transforms her stepchildren into swans for 900 years, making her one of the most complex figures in Irish mythological tradition.
Aoife has been consistently the most popular girls' name in Ireland for much of the 21st century, repeatedly ranking #1. As Irish culture and names have gained international appreciation, Aoife has spread among the Irish diaspora in the UK, Australia, and the US, though its unusual spelling remains a barrier outside Ireland.
Aoife appears in two of the most important tales in Irish mythology: the Ulster Cycle (as the warrior woman trained by Scáthach) and the Children of Lir (as the tragic stepmother). She is simultaneously a figure of fierce power and tragic complexity—a name that carries the full weight of Irish mythological tradition.
Historical Record
Aoife first appeared in US Social Security records in 1985.
Over 2,093 babies have been named Aoife in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Aoife is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #2,238 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Aoife has been the #1 girls' name in Ireland for multiple consecutive years in the 21st century
- The spelling follows Old Irish conventions where 'ao' is pronounced 'ee'—a phonetic system predating the Norman invasion of Ireland
Aoife in Other Languages
Irish
Aoife
Scottish Gaelic
Aoife
English phonetic
Eva/Ava (approximate)
Popularity Over Time
#2,238
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Aoife
A
Aoife O'Donovan
Musician
1983
American folk singer-songwriter and member of the group Crooked Still, known for her crystalline voice
A
Aoife (mythology) Fictional
Other
Fierce warrior woman in Irish mythology, rival of Scáthach and mother of Cú Chulainn's son Connla
A
Aoife (Children of Lir) Fictional
Other
Complex figure in the Irish myth of the Children of Lir, whose jealousy transforms her stepchildren into swans for 900 y...
Complex figure in the Irish myth of the Children of Lir, whose jealousy transforms her stepchildren into swans for 900 years
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,238
- Total SSA Count
- 84
- Cultural Origins
- Irish Scottish Irish-American
- Pronunciation
- Hard
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Common Nicknames
Aoifs
Eefa
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, Irish heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Distinctive pick, Scottish heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Distinctive pick, Scottish heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Distinctive pick, Scottish heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Aoife
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Aoife fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Aoife →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Aoife with...
Same Origin Names (Irish)
See all Irish names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Aoife
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Aoife and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Aoife sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Jean
Girl
Hebrew via French origin
"God is gracious"
#2,403 in US
Polly
Girl
Medieval English origin
"rhyming pet form of Mary"
#2,192 in US
Keely
Girl
Irish Gaelic origin
"beautiful, graceful"
#2,069 in US
Katelynn
Girl
Welsh and Old English lynn origin
"Lake, waterfall"
#2,288 in US
Maryann
Girl
Hebrew (compound) origin
"sea of grace, beloved grace"
#2,222 in US
Alanis
Girl
Irish/Gaelic origin
"precious, little rock"
#2,072 in US
Ronnie
Girl
Latin (via Veronica) origin
"true image"
#2,280 in US
Aithana
Girl
Old Irish origin
"kernel, nut"
#2,246 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Aoife's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aoife
What does the name Aoife mean?
"pleasant, agreeable" (from Old Irish). Aoife (pronounced EE-fah) is one of the oldest Irish names, derived from the Old Irish 'aoibh' meaning 'beauty' or 'radiance.' In Irish mythology, Aoife was a renowned warrior woman—sometimes described as the fiercest woman in the world—who was the rival and later lover of the hero Cú Chulainn. In the legend of the Children of Lir, Aoife is the jealous stepmother who transforms her stepchildren into swans for 900 years, making her one of the most complex figures in Irish mythological tradition.
What is the origin of the name Aoife?
Aoife has Old Irish, Irish, Scottish, and Irish-American origins. In Old Irish, it means "pleasant, agreeable".
Is Aoife a boy or girl name?
Aoife is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Aoife?
Aoife is currently ranked #2238 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Aoife?
Common nicknames for Aoife include Aoifs and Eefa.
What are good middle names for Aoife?
Popular middle name pairings include Aoife Niamh, Aoife Rose, Aoife Claire, Aoife Grace, Aoife Brigid, and Aoife Maeve.
What are good sibling names for Aoife?
Names that pair well with Aoife as siblings include Ciarán, Saoirse, Fionn, Niamh, Oisín, and Siobhán.
How many syllables does Aoife have?
Aoife has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Aoife a common or rare name?
Aoife is an uncommon name, ranked #2238 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Aoife
Aoife is a girl name with Irish, Scottish, and Irish-American origins . The name means "pleasant, agreeable" in Old Irish .
Aoife is currently ranked #2,238 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Aoife has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Aoife include Aoifs and Eefa. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Old Irish Names
Browse all names with this origin
A
Names Starting with A
More girl names like Aoife
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis