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15 Irish surnames that are now actually popular baby names in America

Finnegan, Delaney, Collins – ALL BABY NAMES.

May 13th 2015, 3:04 PM 31,248 Views 11 Comments

Overweight baby figures Source: PA Wire/Press Association Images

LAST WEEK, THE US Department of Social Security released data on the most popular baby names for 2014.

The top three names for baby boys:

Noah
Liam
Mason

While the most popular names for little girls were:

Emma
Olivia
Sophia

Along with a list of the most popular names, they have also created a searchable database whereby you can search the popularity of any name within the top 1000 names.

For example, Zayn was ranked the 830th most popular name for boys in 2014, while Niall failed to make the top 1000.

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The data also reveals that a surprising number of Irish surnames are now being used as first names.

They might sound wrong to us, but across the Atlantic, the following names are totally normal and can all be found within the top 1000 most popular names…

1. Delaney

File Photo FAI silent on legal threat over John Delaneys IRA ballad The FAI has again failed to respond to questions from The Irish Times over the controversy surrounding its chief executive John Delaney. This time the questions related to how a London-b Source: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

Popularity ranking: 268

Number of Delaneys born in 2014: 1,220

2. McKenna

11046421_774009089353081_6320092905214500641_n Source: McKenna's Bar/Facebook

Popularity ranking: 233

Number of McKennas born in 2014: 1,388

3. Collins

michaelcollinsposter

Popularity ranking: 838

Number of Collins born in 2014: 327

4. Nolan

The Natural Bakery Opening. Source: Mark Stedman

Popularity ranking: 81

Number of Nolans born in 2014: 5,181

5. Brennan

brennans-bread Source: Wordpress

Popularity ranking: 386

Number of Brennans born in 2014: 802

6. Kennedy

To Russia with Love will Source: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

Popularity ranking: 54

Number of Kennedys born in 2014: 4,459

7. Cassidy

308536_237915366259156_1318476903_n Source: Cassidy's/Facebook

Popularity ranking: 248

Number of Cassidys born in 2014: 1,294

8. Hayes

Fine Gaels Elections Posters Campaigns Source: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland

Popularity ranking: 545

Number of Hayes born in 2014: 498

9. Sullivan

. Olympian Sonia O'Sulliva Source: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

Popularity ranking: 463

Number of Sullivans born in 2014: 628

10. Quinn

Dublin Bus Community Awards Source: Graham Hughes/Photocall Ireland!

Popularity ranking: 363 (for boy) and 126 (for girl)

Number of Quinns born in 2014: 2,539 girls and 868 boys

11. Flynn

Campaign Posters Source: Sam Boal

Popularity ranking: 659

Number of Flynns born in 2014: 388

12. Finnegan

download Source: Amazon

Popularity ranking: 464

Number of Finnegans born in 2014: 625

13. Cullen

File Photo BUSINESSMAN Bill Cullen was moved to tears on live TV this morning as he discussed the sudden death of his brother. The former Apprentice boss was appearing on TV3s Ireland AM this morning with partner Jackie Lavin to discuss his comeback to th

Popularity ranking: 603

Number of Cullens born in 2014: 445

14. Logan

logan Source: YouTube

Popularity ranking: 13

Number of Logans born in 2014: 13,579

15. Beckett

2013 Dublin Airport Authori Source: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland

Popularity ranking: 244

Number of Becketts born in 2014: 1,511

All information courtesy of Social Security.

Maeve was one of the most searched for baby names in the United States last year >

The 17 definitive hipster baby names in Ireland >

About the author:

About the author

Amy O'Connor

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amy@dailyedge.ie

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15 Irish surnames that are now actually popular baby names in America