Eithne

Gender Feminine
Usage Irish, Irish Mythology, Old Irish [1]
Pronounced Pron. EH-nyə(Irish)  [key·IPA]

Meaning & History

Possibly from Old Irish etne meaning "kernel, grain". In Irish mythology Eithne or Ethniu was a Fomorian and the mother of Lugh Lámfada. It was borne by several other legendary and historical figures, including a few early saints.

Related Names

VariantsEna, Enya, Ethna, Aithne(Irish) Ethne, Ethniu(Irish Mythology)

People think this name is

classic   formal   upper class   natural   wholesome   delicate   refined   strange   complex   serious  

Categories

food, grains, nature, plants, saints, uncertain etymology

Sources & References

  1. O'Brien, Kathleen M. Index of Names in Irish Annals, available from https://medievalscotland.org/kmo/AnnalsIndex/Feminine/Eithne.shtml.
Entry updated January 21, 2022