Ireland has an amazing history and culture that has spread throughout the world. Our unique language, music and legends have delighted and intrigued generations of Irish people and their descendants.
Nothing is more individual than our beautiful girl names, all of which are full of history and meaning. Irish girls names hold a special meaning and beauty that give the bearer a special link with our ancient past. Many associated with our ancient Gods the Tuatha de Danann and the ancient myths surrounding and engulfing this ancient land.
1. Aoife – Pronounced ‘E-fa’
Aoife derives from the Irish word aoibh and means beauty. In Irish Mythology, Aoife was a warrior princess and was locked in a bitter feud with her sister Scathach. In legend she was defeated in combat by the Irish Hero Cuchulainn and eventually fell in love with him. Aoife also appears in the Irish legend of The Children of Lir, and was second wife of Lir the ruler of the sea. She was jealous of his 4 beautiful children and cast a wicked spell to change them into swans.
After Lir discovers her treachery he transformed her into a demon cursing her to eternity as a demon of the air and mist. (Follow us for Sinead’s future posts featuring full versions Irish myths and legends, including The Children Of Lir) The most famous Aoife is the princess of Leinister, Aoife McMurrough who was given in marriage by her father, to the Norman Lord Richard de Clare better known as Strongbow.
2. Aine – Pronounced ‘Awn-ya’
Is a beautiful name that means radiance. Aine was the Irish Goddess of Summer and is associated with the midsummer festivals and joy.
3. Cliona – Pronounced ‘Cleen-a’
Cliona is a name deep rooted in Irish Mythology and Legend. In some myths she is the goddess of love and beauty who fell in love with a mortal. She is said to have left the land known as Tir Tairngire to be with Ciabhan but she is stolen to the sea by a wild wave while she slept. The tide in Glandore harbor in County Cork to this day is known as Cliona’s wave. In other Mythology Cliona is the Queen of the Banshee’s the fairy women or Sidheog of the Tuatha De Danann the Pantheon of Irish Gods and Goddesses.
4. Deirdre – Pronounced ‘Deer-dra’
There is no definite English translation of this ancient and beautiful Irish name. The name is associated with one of Irelands most famous Legend, Deirdre of the Sorrows.
The Legend surrounding her comes from the Ulster Cycle of Irish Mythology. Before she was even born the Druid Cathbad who served at the court of King Conchobar mac Nessa professed that Deirdre would be so beautiful that Kings would go to war to win her love and that the 3 greatest warriors that Ulster had ever seen would ruin themselves to protect her.
The King decided that he would have Deirdre for himself when she came of age and stole her from her family to be raised in isolation by a wise women. However Deirdre fell in love with a warrior called Naoise. The story of Deirdre is often known, as the Irish Iliad and does not have a happy ending.
5. Eimer – Pronounced ‘E-mer’
Is a popular and beautiful Irish name, that means swift or fast. She features in the Ulster Cycle of Irish Mythology. She is the wife of the legendary warrior and Irish Hero Cu Chulainn. In Irish myth she was side to possess the 6 aspects of the perfect woman, exceptional beauty, a pure gentle voice, kind words, wisdom, skilled needlework and chastity
6. Erin – Pronounced ‘Air-in’
This beautiful name means Ireland. It is the name of the Goddess of Ireland Eiru. She was the Goddess of the Earth a part of the Tuatha De Danann, the patron Goddess of Ireland. She was the wife of Mac Greine the grandson of The Dagda. She is also associated with The Morrigan the Goddess of War. She was also the mistress of the Ancient Irish God Lugh. She is said to be resting in deep sleep beneath the ancient scared heath of Ireland, The Hill of Uisneach.
7. Grainne – Pronounced ‘Grawn-ya’
This ancient Irish name is thought to mean The Sun. Grainne is one of the most famous heroines in Irish Mythology. She features in the Fenian Cycle of Irish Mythology and is the daughter of Cormac mac Airt. She was promised in marriage to the ancient leader of The Fianna, Fionn mac Cumhaill. But she fell in love with and eloped with the warrior Diarmuid. Fionn chases them throughout Ireland but eventually forgives Diarmuid. Grainne and Diarmuid settle in County Kerry. Diarmuid dies while hunting boar with Fionn, Grainne is said to have mourned him until the day she died.
8. Maeve – Pronounced ‘May-ve’
This ancient Irish name has the meaning of a bringer of great joy or intoxicating. In ancient Irish would have been spelled Medh. She was the legendary Queen on Connaught, from The Ulster Cycle of Irish Mythology. She features in the ancient tale of The Cattle Raid of Cooley.
9. Niamh – Pronounced ‘Ni-ve’
Is an ancient Irish name that means golden haired. Niamh features in the Fenian Cycle of Irish Mythology, she was the goddess from Tir-Na-nOg (Land of youth) and daughter of the King of Tir-Na-nOg. She came from Tir-Na-nOg on a white horse from the sea. She fell in love with Oisin the son of Fionn Mac Cumhaill the leader of the Fianna.
Oisin went to Tir-Na-nOg. Home sick for his beloved Ireland after what seemed like afew years, Oisin wanted to visit his father. Niamh agreed but warned him not to touch the ground, as he would not be able to return to her. Oisin returned on the White Horse through the waves of the Ocean. He found that hundreds of years had passed and the Fianna were long dead.
He stopped to help a man move a stone, when be bent down to lift the stone the belt on the saddle snapped and he hit the ground, turning into an old man. The legend says that Oisin met Saint Patrick and told him the stories of ancient Ireland.
10. Sadhbh – Pronounced ‘Si-ve’
This ancient name means goddess. Sadhbh features in ancient Irish mythology. The dark evil Druid, Fer Dorich turned her into a Doe for refusing to love him. After a number of years trapped in animal form a servant of the Dark Druid told Sadhbh that if she set foot on the Fort of the Fianna she would return to human form, as the magic of Fer Dorich didn’t work there. On her way to Fionn’s Fort, the leader of the Fianna found her out hunting. Fionn’s wolfhounds were also humans trapped in animal form and did not hurt Sadhbh. When she got to the fort she returned to human form. Sadhbh and Fionn feel in love. The spiteful Druid in a fit of jealousy turned Sadhbh back into a dear, Fionn spent years searching for her. While looking for Sadhbh, Fionn came across a young boy wandering in the forest, as soon as he looked at the boy he recognized the face of his wife, that boy was their son Oisin.
11. Saoirse – Pronounced ‘Sir-Sha’
This beautiful and meaningful Irish name means freedom. This stunning name became popular as a girls name in Ireland during the early 1920’s. This could be a result of the times as freedom was foremost on the minds of the Irish people during the War of Independence
12. Sinead – Pronounced ‘Sin-Aid’
This is one of Ireland’s most ancient names; its origin is so old that it is actually unclear where the name actually came from. It is thought that Sinead is the Irish for Jane or Janet and means God is Gracious. In Scotland Sine and in Welsh Sioned. In ancient Hebrew Sinead is Yohannan. In Welsh Mythology Sioned was the Goddess of the Lake, in West Wales where that has a strong connection to the Legend of King Arthur. This name is probably one of the best-known Irish names worldwide.