"fort on the hill"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: English
Down
Pronunciation: [ d-OWN ]
Does Down flow with your last name?
An ultra-rare Irish county name worn as a given name
Irish
Northern Irish
Earthy
Unique
Bold
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"fortified place"
Origin: Celtic
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- Down as a common English word (direction downward, feathers, or feelings of sadness) may cause teasing
- Also the name of a county in Northern Ireland, which makes it unusual as a given name
The Story of Down
Down as a given name likely derives from County Down in Northern Ireland, one of the six counties of Ulster. The county name comes from the Irish Dun meaning fort or fortified hill. Using county names as given names is occasionally done as a tribute to Irish heritage or as a geographic honor name.
Down as a given name for girls is extremely rare and unconventional. It may appear as a tribute to Irish ancestry or as part of an experimental approach to unique naming. It has never appeared in mainstream naming statistics.
County Down in Northern Ireland is historically significant, home to the Mourne Mountains and Saint Patricks burial site at Downpatrick Cathedral. As a name, it would carry deep associations with this Irish heritage.
Historical Record
Down first appeared in US Social Security records in 1963.
Over 17 babies have been named Down in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Down is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #63,580 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- County Down in Northern Ireland contains Downpatrick, the traditional burial site of Saint Patrick
- The Mourne Mountains in County Down inspired C.S. Lewis and are said to have influenced the landscape of Narnia
Down in Other Languages
Irish
Dun
Welsh
Dun
Scottish Gaelic
Dun
Popularity Over Time
#63,580
Current Rank
Rare
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Down
S
Saint Patrick
Religious
The patron saint of Ireland is traditionally said to be buried at Downpatrick Cathedral in County Down
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #63,580
- Total SSA Count
- 5
- Cultural Origins
- Irish Northern Irish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, earthy style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, bold style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Distinctive pick, bold style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Irish heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Irish heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Down
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Down
Phonetic neighbors that share Down's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Down
What does the name Down mean?
"fort on the hill" (from Irish Gaelic). "fortified place" (from Celtic). Down as a given name likely derives from County Down in Northern Ireland, one of the six counties of Ulster. The county name comes from the Irish Dun meaning fort or fortified hill. Using county names as given names is occasionally done as a tribute to Irish heritage or as a geographic honor name.
What is the origin of the name Down?
Down has Irish Gaelic, Celtic, Irish, and Northern Irish origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "fort on the hill". In Celtic, it means "fortified place".
Is Down a boy or girl name?
Down is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Down?
Down is pronounced d-OWN.
How popular is the name Down?
Down is currently ranked #63580 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Down?
Popular middle name pairings include Down Marie, Down Rose, Down Claire, Down Grace, Down Anne, Down Fiona, and Down Brigid.
What are good sibling names for Down?
Names that pair well with Down as siblings include Kerry, Clare, Tyrone, Antrim, Fermanagh, Donegal, and Sligo.
How many syllables does Down have?
Down has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Down a common or rare name?
Down is an uncommon name, ranked #63580 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Down
Down is a girl name with Irish and Northern Irish origins . The name means "fort on the hill" in Irish Gaelic .
Down is currently ranked #63,580 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Down has 1 syllable and is pronounced d-OWN, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
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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