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Clodagh

Girl name · 66 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Clodagh: 66 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 10 births in 2023.

The name Clodagh, pronounced “CLO-da,” comes from the River Clodiagh in County Waterford, Ireland, and is thought to derive from an Old Irish word meaning “muddy” or “soft,” a reference to the river's earthy banks. Saint Clodagh is an obscure early Irish saint, though the name’s popularity rose dramatically in the 20th century after being used for a character in a novel. It belongs to the same water-themed family as Shannon and Avon, all drawn from Irish rivers. A different, unrelated Clodagh was a 7th-century saint in Cornwall, adding a subtle Scottish link. This name remains firmly rooted in Irish tradition but has a gentle, natural feel that appeals far beyond the Emerald Isle.