UK girl's name
Karrigan
A feminine name possibly derived from the Irish name Caitriona or Katherine.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 1997. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Karrigan is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Karrigan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 1997 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3824, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 1997 to 1997. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
Karrigan is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Karrigan. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 1998 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Karrigan ranked #3824 for girls in England and Wales in 1997, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1997, when 3 girls were registered as Karrigan.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Karrigan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3824
1997
Births in 1997
3
Latest year
Peak year
1997
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Karrigan mean?
The name Karrigan is believed to have originated from the Old Irish Gaelic language, with roots tracing back to the early medieval period in Ireland. The name is thought to be derived from the Gaelic word "carraig," which means "rock" or "stone." This suggests that the name may have been associated with strength, durability, or a connection to the natural landscape.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Karrigan can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the 17th century. The Annals mention a person named Karrigan mac Aedha, who lived in the 12th century and was a member of the Uí Briúin dynasty in Connacht, Ireland.
In the 14th century, there is a reference to a woman named Karrigan ní Dhomhnaill, who was the daughter of a prominent Irish chieftain from the O'Donnell clan. Her name appears in historical records related to land disputes and inheritance matters in the region of Ulster.
During the 16th century, a notable figure named Karrigan Ó Máille gained prominence as a seafarer and chieftain of the Ó Máille clan in County Mayo, Ireland. He was known for his maritime exploits and for engaging in piracy along the Irish coast.
In the 17th century, a man named Karrigan Ó Conchobhair was a celebrated Irish harpist and composer. He is credited with preserving and promoting traditional Irish music during a time when it faced suppression under English rule.
Another notable figure with the name Karrigan was Karrigan Ó Súilleabháin, an Irish poet and scholar who lived in the 18th century. He was renowned for his works in the Irish language and his contributions to preserving Irish literary traditions.
While the name Karrigan has its roots in Ireland and the Irish language, it has been adopted and used in various forms across different cultures and regions over the centuries. However, its origins can be traced back to the rich history and heritage of Ireland, where it was borne by individuals who left their mark on the cultural, political, and artistic landscapes of the time.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Karrigan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Karrigan was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | #3824 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Karrigan
- Katie 53,185
- Keira 14,411
- Katherine 11,323
- Kayleigh 10,677
- Kate 10,276
- Kelsey 7,224
- Kiera 7,218
- Kayla 6,541
- Kirsty 6,384
- Khadija 5,948
- Kimberley 5,189
- Kaitlyn 5,137
FAQ
Karrigan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Karrigan in the UK right now?
In 1997, Karrigan was ranked #3824 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Karrigan most popular?
The peak year on record was 1997, with 3 babies registered as Karrigan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Karrigan?
A feminine name possibly derived from the Irish name Caitriona or Katherine.
How many people are called Karrigan in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Karrigan across the 1 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.