The Baby Name Wizard

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Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Erin!

Comments and insights on the name Erin: | Edit

Erin is a poetic name for Ireland. For this reason, it became very popular among American families of Irish extraction. However, it is never used in Ireland itself.

That's interesting, because it's listed as #9 in Scotland, #13 in Northern Ireland, #15 in Wales, #27 in England, and #35 in Ireland. ;)

Personal experiences with the name Erin: | Edit

I like that there is no stereotype to the name to be a tomboyish name or a super girly name. It just is. Also, it isn't a name that you can add -y on the end to make is sound less intelligent, weak, or anything like that. It can be strong, powerful, and full of confidence, or it can be meek and shy, it all depends on the person.

I am an Erin and I hated my name as a child. In the early to mid 70s in upstate New York it was a very uncommon name and other kids made fun of me for having a boy's name (because it sounded like Aaron). There were never any name pins or stickers or balloons, etc. for Erin at the store! I remember going to sign up for day camp and the person said "*What* is your name?" When I showed up to camp he had registered me as Erwin. Apparently he had never heard the name Erin so he misheard it as Erwin. People used to spell it wrong all the time - Aron, Eran, Errin, Airen, etc. It's much more common now and it's been a while since I've seen it misspelled. I know a lot of Erins in their early to mid 20s. I don't hate it anymore, but it still wouldn't be a name I would have chosen myself!

I am Erin- In elementary school (early 80's in Ohio) I had several "Erin's" and "Aaron's" in my classes, which annoyed me. As in the comment above, someone thought my
name was "Erwin" when I was a kid and I was NOT happy! When my family moved to Austin later on, I seldom met another Erin. My parents liked the name because it does not have an easy nickname. I am proud of my name and I do like it, but I still get frustrated when people think it's spelled aaron.

My name is Erin and i absolutely love it. I would like to just point out that Erin has become much more popular since the 80's, at least it has in the northeast where i'm from. I have never been called Erwin, Eric, or any other name similar to Erin. I love that the name Erin is so classy and elegant yet cute and sweet at the same time. I also appreciate the fact that not many people are named Erin. I feel much more unique than if i was a Katie or a Mary.

Nicknames for Erin: | Edit

Ren, Rone, Erone, Er-er, Nire, Erey, Erena, "E"

Meanings and history of the name Erin: | Edit

From Eireann, the genitive case of Gaelic Eire, meaning "Ireland".

Famous real-life people named Erin: | Edit

Erin Moran, actress on sitcome "Happy Days"
Erin Gray from Silver Spoons and Buck Rogers
Erin Everly, inspiration for the song "Sweet Child O'Mine" and ex-wife of Axl Rose.
Erin Brockovich, environmental activist and inspiration for the movie starring Julia Roberts
Erin McKeown, folk rock singer
Erin Murphy, played Tabitha on "Bewitched"
Erin Andrews, ESPN reporter

Erin in song, story & screen: | Edit

Erin Walton, middle daughter of the Walton family of the eponymous TV series of the 1970s. This may be where many people first heard the name, as it was very uncommon before the first season of this show.

Erin Silver, a minor character on "Beverly Hills 90210" and a lead on the new "90210"