Hey, everyone!
I came up with the combo [name_f]Deirdre[/name_f] [name_u]Louise[/name_u] tonight, and I really love it! However, while some sources say [name_f]Deirdre[/name_f] means “she who chatters” or “woman, daughter”, they also say it means “sorrow/fear.” I don’t mind the first two meanings, but I don’t want to name my future daughter something that means “sorrow/fear.” Is there a way I can find out what the actual meaning is? Also, thoughts on [name_f]Deirdre[/name_f] [name_u]Louise[/name_u]? Thank you!
Oooh I’m curious to know if another [name_u]Berry[/name_u] will have info on the origin or how to find it! That is always fascinating to learn!
I think a name’s meaning is really up to the parent. Some people care, some people don’t. [name_u]Mallory[/name_u] is #553 in the US and it means “unfortunate.” So a lot of people either don’t know the meaning of the child’s name or they simply don’t care.
Meanings are important to me, so I wouldn’t use it. But I wouldn’t think negatively of someone who did use it.
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I love [name_f]Deirdre[/name_f] and I don’t think the meaning is an issue. A happy meaning is nice, but it’s not the most important.
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The meanings of a lot of ancient names are uncertain or unknowable. According to Behind the Name, it may mean daughter. Meaning, origin and history of the name Deirdre - Behind the Name
I think the “sorrows” thing comes from the name’s association with [name_f]Deirdre[/name_f] of the Sorrows, a tragic figure in Irish mythology. But the name probably doesn’t actually mean sorrows.
Regarding the wider subject of name meanings, there was a blog post on this recently. I’m going to copy what I wrote there.
I don’t put much stock into name meanings. [name_f]Mary[/name_f] might mean “bitter”, but for me it’s a family name – I would be using it to honour a family member, not because of the proposed meaning. Also, lots of names can have different meanings depending on what source you’re using.
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I have heard [name_f]Deirdre[/name_f] means sorrow and it did put me off. I dont understand why some names even have negative meanings! That seems so unfair!
I still think [name_f]Deirdre[/name_f] is a really pretty name. If I found a different meaning, which it sounds like you did, I would just proceed with using it! Most people don’t know a name’s meaning - it doesn’t come up that much.
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seconding this.
[name_f]Deirdre[/name_f] [name_u]Louise[/name_u] is lovely.
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The first thing I do when trying to find the meaning of a name is look up ‘name’ etymology. You can’t always find a reliable source and often times it’s from an obscure origin so sources disagree, but at least it gives you somewhere to start.
Here’s what I found for [name_f]Deirdre[/name_f] Derdriu - Wiktionary
Meaning, origin and history of the name Deirdre - Behind the Name
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Thanks! I’ll definitely have to look more into the etymology of this name.
I don’t think you should let the meaning put you off, [name_f]Deirdre[/name_f] [name_u]Louise[/name_u] is lovely! I know plenty of people with names that have less than great meanings (including sorrow) and it’s really not a big issue.
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It just makes me think of [name_f]Deirdre[/name_f] [name_m]Barlow[/name_m] and I don’t even watch [name_u]Corrie[/name_u], sorry 
probably one only the Brits would understand but it’s a pretty unavoidable association over here! 
And not a good one!
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To me, name meanings are irrelevant. [name_f]Deirdre[/name_f] is a nice name.
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I don’t think it’s a big deal. As mentioned, all of the [name_f]Mary[/name_f] variants mean sorrow, and those are very well used names!
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Deirdre is awesome!
I think happy name meanings are nice, but its usually the personal meaning I attach to a name that means the most to me. For example, I really like [name_f]Deirdre[/name_f] because their was a gardener that used to teach me all about plants and gardening. So for me, my personal association with the name overrides the name meaning… Does that make sense? [name_f]Deirdre[/name_f] [name_u]Louise[/name_u] is amazing 
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