Deirdre is a Gaelic name with a tricky spelling. In the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), it is transcribed as /dɛərdrə/. The first syllable is spelled with the letter "e" but pronounced with an "ea" sound. The second syllable has the letters "ird," but the "ir" makes an "ear" sound. The final syllable has the "re" combination, but it's pronounced like "ra." Overall, the name Deirdre shows that the English language can have numerous spellings for the same sounds, making it challenging for non-native speakers to learn.
Deirdre is a female given name of Gaelic or Irish origin. It is derived from the Irish name "Deirdre" or "Deirdriu," which means "sorrowful" or "one who is sad" in Gaelic. The name holds significant cultural and mythological importance in Irish folklore and is often associated with tragic heroines and mournful narratives.
In ancient Irish mythology, Deirdre is a legendary figure who features prominently in the Ulster Cycle. She is portrayed as exceptionally beautiful, captivating all who lay eyes upon her. Her story centers around a tragic love triangle involving her, the hero Naoise, and King Conchobar. Deirdre falls deeply in love with Naoise, leading to her subsequent exile and years of sorrow and longing.
Due to the mythical and melancholic associations with the name, Deirdre has become a symbol of beauty tinged with sadness. It evokes feelings of longing, tragedy, and despair, encapsulating the essence of Irish storytelling tradition. Although not as common as some other names, Deirdre continues to be used in modern times, sometimes as a tribute to the rich cultural heritage of Ireland or simply as a unique and meaningful choice for a baby girl's name.
Overall, Deirdre is a name that carries with it a sense of profound emotion, emphasizing the poignant and evocative nature of human experience.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The name "Deirdre" is of Irish origin. It comes from the Irish Gaelic name "Deirdre" or "Derdriu", which is derived from the Old Irish "Derdriu" and ultimately from Proto-Celtic "Derográdos". The meaning of the name is uncertain, but some scholars suggest that it may mean "sorrowful" or "exiled one". In Irish mythology, Deirdre was a tragic heroine and the object of desire for many men, which has contributed to the enduring popularity of the name.