Grace comes out top of the pile for baby names in Galway
The Wolfe Tones’ recent revival of the ballad ‘Grace’ appears to have resonated with parents of new-born babies as Grace was the most popular girls' name registered in County Galway last year.
There’s a nationalist vibe to the most popular girls name in Galway City, too, as Saoirse – meaning freedom í nGaeilge – took the top spot, according to the Central Statistics Office’s latest release.
Jack is the most popular boys name in County Galway, according to the latest CSO data.
The most popular name for new boys in Galway City in 2025 was a three-way tie between Conor, Noah and Oisín.
Nationally, the most popular name in 2025 for new-born boys in Ireland was Rían and for girls it was Lily.
According to CSO, this is the first time since 1964 that Rían has held the top spot for boys' names.
It moved into the top five names in 2021.
Jack previously held the top spot since 2007 – with the exception of 2016, when James was the most popular name for one year only.
Lily rose to the number one spot for girls in 2025, climbing from sixth place in 2024.
Prior to 2025, Sophie proved to be the most popular girls' name in 2024, with it previously ranking in the top five girls names since 2009.
Éabha retains second place from last year, having previously been ranked in eighth position in 2023.
Sadie entered the top five for the first time in 2025, CSO data confirmed.
Some of the less popular – or more unique – boys’ names registered last year were Elio, Séadhna, Óigí, Lughán, Vinny, Ocean, Adonis and Abram.
The six new entrants into the top ten most popular girls’ names across the country were Ríadh, Gracie, Mabel, Arabella, Nancy and Raya.