Gillian vs Niamh

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Niamh

Girl #3,133 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"bright, radiant, lustrous"

Origin: Old Irish

Cultural Roots

Irish Scottish Gaelic Celtic

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#3,133
Total SSA Count
51
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Nia, Niy, Niie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Niamh →

Popularity Comparison

Gillian Rank #3,126
Niamh Rank #3,133

Gillian is more popular, ranked #3126 vs #3133 for Niamh.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Gillian ___

  • Gillian Rose
  • Gillian Anne
  • Gillian Claire
  • Gillian Marie
  • Gillian Hope
  • Gillian Grace

Niamh ___

  • Niamh Rose
  • Niamh Clare
  • Niamh Grace
  • Niamh Maeve
  • Niamh Siobhan
  • Niamh Brigid

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Gillian

Alison Sheila Colin Duncan Fiona

If you choose Niamh

Ciarán Fionnuala Roisín Seán Áine

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gillian or Niamh more popular?

Gillian is more popular, ranked #3126 compared to Niamh at #3133 in the United States.

What do Gillian and Niamh mean?

Gillian means "youthful" (Latin origin). Niamh means "bright, radiant, lustrous" (Old Irish origin).

Are Gillian and Niamh boy or girl names?

Gillian is primarily a girl name. Niamh is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons

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← Full profile: Gillian ← Full profile: Niamh Browse all baby names