Entry № 0276 · Irish origin

Fionnuala Fionnuala — Meaning, Origin & Baby Name Popularity

/ fin-OO-lah /

Gender

Girl

Origin

Irish

Meaning

"Fair-shouldered"

Syllables

Rank · US 2025

№ 0

First recorded

Medieval (Irish)

The meaning

A name that means "fair-shouldered".

Fionnuala combines the Irish fionn (fair, white) and guala (shoulder) — meaning "fair-shouldered." In Irish legend, Fionnuala is the daughter of Lir who was transformed with her brothers into swans for 900 years.

Fionnuala is widely used in Ireland.

Fair-shouldered. The Irish swan-maiden.

In its original form

The name in its native script.

Fionnuala

Transliteration: Fionnuala
Pronunciation: / fɪˈnuː.lə /
Root: —
Grammatical form: —

Popularity

Where Fionnuala stands.

Current rank · 2025

№ 0 in the U.S.

All-time peak

№ 0 in 0

Babies named Fionnuala · last year

87 in the U.S.

First entered SSA top-1000

Rank, 1995–2025 Lower = more popular

Namesakes

Fionnualas before her.

Real people

Fionnuala Flanagan

Irish actress.

born 1941

In fiction

Fionnuala

Daughter of Lir in Irish legend.

Irish mythology

Names connected to Fionnuala.

Numerology

The number behind Fionnuala.

The Nurturer

Fionnuala reduces to six — the number of the transformed swan-daughter.

Parents on Fionnuala

Why families chose this name.

"The swan-daughter of Lir. Three syllables. Fionnuala."

Niamh · Mother of one · Donegal