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The first name Tiernan

A boy’s name meaning “lord”.

2 syllables Male Also a surname

Meaning and origin

Tiernan means “lord”.

From Irish Tiarnán, from Tiarna (“lord”).

More names that mean god.

From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Popularity

Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

In 2025, 7 boys were named Tiernan, making it the 2,952nd most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 1999, with 24 births (#697).

01530 1996200020052010201520202025
384
babies named Tiernan, 1996–2025
#2,952
rank in 2025
1999
peak year

Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Tiernan with other names.

Popularity in the United States

Babies named Tiernan at birth, 1880–2025

In 2025, 29 boys born in the United States were named Tiernan, the 3,840th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2007, when 86 were.

04590 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
GirlsBoys
1,676
babies named Tiernan since 1880
#3,840
rank in 2025
2007
peak year

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

Questions

What does the name Tiernan mean?
Tiernan means “lord”.
How popular is the name Tiernan?
In 2025, 7 boys born in England and Wales were named Tiernan, ranking 2,952nd. Its peak was 1999, with 24 births.
Is Tiernan a boy's or a girl's name?
Both. Of the 1,676 US babies named Tiernan since 1880, 12% were girls and 88% boys.
When was Tiernan most popular?
2007 in the United States, when 86 babies were named Tiernan, its highest rank at 1,738th.
Is Tiernan also a surname?
Yes. Tiernan is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.