Here they are - the latest stats on the most popular girls' Irish names!
I've also added trends and some interesting names from the top 100 rankings.
And who's new in the top 100?
There's not much movement in the girls' 2007 top ten. (2008 results are due out towards the end of summer 2009.)
There are eight stayers in the top ten, as Ciara and Leah bow out of the top spots. New in are Emily and Kate.
The top two places are still held by the same duo, and most of the other girls have simply shuffled around a little!
To help you, I have given the name followed by the pronunciation where necessary.
Sarah Sarah keeps her place at number one. She's featured in the top five baby names since 1998, and her name means "princess" in Hebrew.
Emma Emma also stays where she was last time, and enjoyed three years at the top before settling into second place. She has also enjoyed top five ranking since 1998. Her name means "whole" or "all-embracing."
Ella Ella has done well yet again, rising from eighth to third place, so a fast mover! Related to the Greek name Helen, which could mean "torch" or "moon."
Katie Katie drops to fourth place from two years at number three. Looks like she's on her way down. Her name means "pure."
Sophie Sophie remains a popular choice, and keeps her ranking from last year. This name means "wisdom."
Ava Ava moved up twelve places from eighteenth last year, reflecting the name's popularity growth in the US, but stays put this time round. Will she manage to find a top five ranking, or is this as good as it gets? This name could come from the Hebrew name Eve, "to breathe" or "to live."
Aoifeee-fah A former number one, whose name speaks of "beauty" or "joy", Aoife is down three spots.
Emily A new entry to the top ten, Emily rises from eleventh place to eighth, so worthy of her name meaning of "rival."
Grace Dropping two places, Grace still holds her own within these popular girls' Irish names - but for how long?
Kate Our second new entry to the top ten, replacing Ciara. Kate has risen a relatively massive thirteen places from number 23 - will she try to storm into the top three next time?
Pearls from the top 50 Irish girls' names
Here are some wonderful choices from a little lower down in the Irish baby name charts.
Caoimhe kee-va A word meaning "beauty" or "grace. And it's a beautiful name - literally. There are connections with the boy's name Kevin, or Caoimhin - kee-vin - which means "beautiful at birth." You may opt for the simpler spelling of Keeva if you wish - but don't those extra letters express so much more... Caoimhe is currently in 17th position.
Niamh neeve Niamh holds her place again to rank at 18. This girls Irish name refers to "radiance".
Saoirse seer-shuh This name means "freedom." Rising in popularity this year by three places, she ranks at 26.
Roísín rosheen Another fab girls' Irish name, meaning "little rose." As a noun, it simply refers to something that comforts you.
Aisling ash-ling Aisling is a word that refers to a "vision" - this time of a beautiful lady who appeared in a dream and haunted the mind of the dreamer forever after. Down from 28th to 36th spot this year.
Clodagh cloh-da The name of a river in Tipperary, Clodagh rises one place to 39th spot. Shannon is another girl's name that uses a river as its inspiration.
Eimear ee-ma Of uncertain meaning, although Eimear could be connected with the word for "twin." A different source says the name could mean "swift." Another spelling of the same name is Emer - who dropped out of the top 100 last year. Eimear is in 51st place, so her appearance here is really a bonus ;) - but I do love this name!
And from lower down in the top 100 girls' names in Ireland
More suggestions from the top one hundred girls' Irish names, these exotic choices could give you some great baby name ideas:
Eabha ay-va The Irish form of Eve, referring to "breath" or "life."
Aoibhe ay-va Similar to the name above, although the word is also connected in Gaelic with the meaning of "beauty" or "radiance."
Orlaith or-la This name refers to a "golden lady" and might also be interpreted as "gold thread."
Muireann mwi-ren Here's a lovely new name to the top 100 girls' Irish names, rising from 130th spot to rank at 91. Her name means "sea fair" or "sea white", and is the name of the musician and singer Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh.
Other first-timers to the top 100 in Ireland are
Brooke
Millie
Taylor
Freya
Maya
Sarah and Lara return to the top 100 after a short break.
