Name of the Day: Eithne
For years, American parents showed their Irish roots by naming their daughters Patricia or Kathleen. These days, many are searching for something a little less expected.
Thanks to Halei for suggesting one that fits the bill: Eithne.
Eithne is not easily pronounced. I’ve counted four variants: ET nah, EN yah, EN ah and ETH nah. Because the singer Enya was born Eithne, that’s probably the version in favor. But once upon a time, Eithne was commonly Anglicized as Edna. I’ll admit that I tend to read Etna, even though it isn’t the most appealing option.
She appears in Irish myth as a sort of Jocasta figure – an oracle predicts that her son will kill her father. Despite some bloodshed and convoluted attempts to fight fate, this comes to pass and her son Lugh eventually becomes king.
Eithne was a well-known figure, and many parents chose the name for their daughters. One of those girls grew up to become a saint – which only fueled Eithne’s popularity.
Saint Eithne’s story is probably pure legend. Born a princess, Eithne met St. Patrick and his disciples on their mission to convert Ireland. She and her sister both asked Patrick to baptize them. He agreed. Then they asked to see the face of God. Patrick explained it wasn’t quite that easy. But after taking their First Communion, both girls fainted – dead away. (Be careful what you wish for.) The sisters were buried in the spot where they fell and Patrick’s converts built a church over their final resting place.
Eithne’s precise meaning is just as elusive as her correct pronunciation. I’ve unearthed three options:
- Most agree that Eithne comes from the word eithne, meaning kernel. It seems like a straightforward use of a nature name. Trouble is, the figure from myth and legend was probably called Ethliu originally, blurring the connection.
- On another nature note, some have linked Eithne to aitten - a shrub, and an uncommon surname also spelled Aiten.
- While it seems like a real stretch, some consider Eithne the feminization of Aidan – in which case, the name means “little fire” or “little fiery one.” She’s sometimes spelled Aithne, which looks a bit closer to Aidan – but the connection is still thin.
Neither Eithne nor Enya has ever ranked in the US Top 1000. Enya is heard sparingly in Norway, Sweden and Belgium. While it seems like the most straightforward spelling option, Enya could be confused with Anya. Anya’s not a common choice, either, but she ranked #366 in the US last year.
So while Enya might seem the kinder appellation to bestow on your daughter, Eithne has a lot of appeal, too. With choices like Niamh, Maeve and Ailis gaining favor, it isn’t quite as challenging as it might’ve been a generation back.
Yes, you’ll have to spell – and say – this one a few times before others catch on. But it is an authentic Irish heritage choice with considerable history – and a lot of charm.
Filed under: Myths & Legends, Names for Girls, Names of the Day, Saints | 11 Comments
Tags: Edna, Eithne, Enya
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I just looked up a discussion of how to pronounce it. It seems even in Ireland they don’t agree. Most seem to say Ethna. It like Ethna better than Etna, but the Enya pronunciation is my favorite – but with the spelling Eithne.
I like Eithne too. I think she’s worth the effort, actually; she’s lovely! Eithne’s not that tough to spell and if you can get past her apparently waffly pronunciation, a real gem of a name! She’s familiar but not common at all, a real bonus in my book. The only way it ever hit my radar was the singer you mentioned who anglicised it to Enya. Her “Orinoco Flow ” is my ‘calm down, relax, don’t go into “battle mode on the road” song. One play and I can feel my blood pressure dropping.
I think she’d fly here near Boston quite easily where everything else Celtic seems to work. Why not Eithne? She’d definitely fit with the Declan, Niall, Niamh, Ashling, Cormac kids already running around!
It reminds me of Athena. Which, incidentally, I like a lot. Please do Athena!
I agree, Eithne is a pretty, truly Irish name with an exotic feel and a straightforward prn. (I say it Enya, like the relaxing singer).
It fits right in with Caoimhe, Niamh, Maeve, Caolinn, Aislinn, & Aiofe, all of which I love.
Really pretty, but I disagree with you on this one, Lola. I think with a name like this the spelling/pronunciation is an uphill battle. I was at a Daisy Scout meeting two weeks ago and one little girl was charmingly named Anaise. I swear, the other three moms struggled to say it the entire time; one just couldn’t seem to get it at all. Taking an unfamiliar name (to most folks) and adding a spelling challenge could be a real encumbrance.
Irish names tend to disappoint me. I would love them if they were pronounced as they are spelled – Siobhan, Niamh, Caoimhe – but the actual pronunciations – Shavonne, Neve, Keeva – are a letdown. It’s nice that Eithne, for a change, sounds (or can sound) almost like one would expect. If I were giving the name for a child, I would definitely stick with “Eth-na” – I think it would be a pain to have a name whose pronunciation bore almost no relation to its spelling.
The classic 1939 version of “The Four Feathers” has a main character named Ethne; if I remember correctly, the cast (who were English) pronounced it “Eth-nee.”
As the bearer of the name in question- I can back up Holey’s pronunciation- Eth-nee. I always tell people it’s like “ethnic” but eth-knee (while pointing to my knee). Takes about 2 seconds and people rarely forget it. So, if you’re hesitating b/c of the “doesn’t sound the way it looks- pronunciation” issue- it’s not that big of a deal.
My parents named me after a friend of theirs who came from County Cork so I know it’s one of the legit Irish pronunciations. If you’re thinking of naming your kid this- DO IT!! I would love to have more of us in the world. I’ve never met another one (family friend went back to IRE before I was old enough to remember).
as an original irish eithne i’m delighted to see my name discussed and described as pretty. i’m 3rd generation eithne (my aunt and great-aunt were also eithnes) and am irish born and bred. we all pronounce it ethna and have great fun watching non-gaelic speakers trying to pronounce it!. the meaning for us has always been “little fire” but we have also learned that eithne was the name of the queen of the fairies in irish myths. she was connect to the the sive people which were the people of the light who held great powers and were considered to be from the otherworld. i love my name, its quite unusual over here too!
My daughter is named Eithne. I’m Scottish and in Scotland (and England) it’s pronounced Eth-nee. I’ve heard Irish variations pronounced En-ya and Etna. i’ve always understod it to mean “little fire” too. No one ever gets the spelling right, though.
Hi! My name is Ena, a anglicized form of Eithne. I was named by my Irish born grandfather, an “amateur” scholar. I was told it meant “fire” and was used as praise in bardic poetry. Undoubtedly, his books would provide a better clue but they are all in gaelic. thank you for all the research!
hi, my name is Eithne. I am Irish, grew up in Ireland and live in Ireland. Eithne is pronounced Eth-NA, NEVER eth-knee (only in England) and NEVER EVER etna, edna or enya …. the only Eithne known as Enya is the lovely singer of that name so it’s probably just a stage name, dating back to some very ancient Irish pronunciatioin. So stick with Eth-na and you won’t go wrong … but it’s a pain having to spell Eithne for people, be warned …