Deirdre Heffernan
Name meaning, origin and global statistics
Deirdre Heffernan is a name that combines Celtic origins. The first name Deirdre is a feminine given name of Celtic origin. From Old Irish Derdriu, meaning uncertain. Deirdre of the Sorrows is one of the great tragic heroines of Irish mythology. The surname Heffernan: Heffernan is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Ó hIfearnáin, which comes from the byname Ifearnán literally meaning 'little demon' or more metaphorically 'daredevil'. Heffernan gives rise to alternatives such as Heffernon and Hefferan. The name sometimes contains the O' prefix. According to historian C. Thomas Cairney, the O'Heffermans were the chiefly family of the Uaithni who were a tribe of the Erainn who were the second wave of Celts to settle in Ireland between about 500 and 100 BC. Deirdre is a distinctive first name, carried by approximately 180K people globally, with the highest concentration in Ireland. The name Deirdre reached peak popularity in the 1965s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.
Etymology & Origin
First Name: Deirdre
Meaning: broken-hearted
Celtic
From Old Irish Derdriu, meaning uncertain. Deirdre of the Sorrows is one of the great tragic heroines of Irish mythology.
Surname: Heffernan
Celtic
Heffernan is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Ó hIfearnáin, which comes from the byname Ifearnán literally meaning 'little demon' or more metaphorically 'daredevil'. Heffernan gives rise to alternatives such as Heffernon and Hefferan. The name sometimes contains the O' prefix. According to historian C. Thomas Cairney, the O'Heffermans were the chiefly family of the Uaithni who were a tribe of the Erainn who were the second wave of Celts to settle in Ireland between about 500 and 100 BC.
Geographic Distribution
The first name Deirdre is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:
Popularity Over Time
Popularity of the name Deirdre by decade, based on birth registration data:
Notable People Named Deirdre Heffernan
- Deirdre McCloskey (university teacher, 1942)
- Siobhan Fahey (film director, 1958)
- Pema Chödrön (Buddhist nun, 1936)
- Deirdre Lovejoy (film actor, 1962)
- Dede Barry (speed skater, 1972)
People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.
Numerology
According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Deirdre Heffernan:
Freedom and adaptability. A dynamic, versatile personality that embraces change and seeks new experiences.
Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.
Intuition and inspiration (Master Number 11). Amplifies spiritual awareness, creative vision and sensitivity.
Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the origin of the first name Deirdre?
- The first name Deirdre originates from Celtic. From Old Irish Derdriu, meaning uncertain. Deirdre of the Sorrows is one of the great tragic heroines of Irish mythology.
- When was Deirdre most popular?
- The name Deirdre reached its peak popularity during the 1965s.
- What is the origin of the surname Heffernan?
- The surname Heffernan originates from Celtic. Heffernan is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Ó hIfearnáin, which comes from the byname Ifearnán literally meaning 'little demon' or more metaphorically 'daredevil'. Heffernan gives rise to alternatives such as Heffernon and Hefferan. The name sometimes contains the O' prefix. According to historian C. Thomas Cairney, the O'Heffermans were the chiefly family of the Uaithni who were a tribe of the Erainn who were the second wave of Celts to settle in Ireland between about 500 and 100 BC.
- How common is the surname Heffernan?
- The surname Heffernan is shared by approximately 7K people worldwide.