• Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Request a Name

Appellation Mountain

Where every name has a story

  • Baby Name Advice & More
  • Master List: Girl Names
  • Master List: Boy Names
  • Private Baby Name Consulting

Baby Name of the Day: Dymphna

March 3, 2011 By appellationmountain 22 Comments

letter D

Letter D by Leo Reynolds via Flickr

File this one under obscure saints.

Thanks to Lindsay for suggesting Dymphna as our Baby Name of the Day.

Back in the 600s, Damhnait was born in Ireland, a minor princess. Mom was a Christian; Dad, not so much. When her mother passed away, legend has it, her father decided that the only possible solution was to marry his daughter. Damhnait fled, but her father tracked her down and decapitated her.

Tales of virtuous young women choosing death over dishonor aren’t uncommon; and just like many of those stories, it is tough to verify the facts. Damhnait’s ordeal was first written down in the 1300s, and doubtless some things changed over the centuries.

One of the things that changed was her name. Damhnait comes from the Gaelic damh – stag; adding the -ait ending makes it “little stag” or fawn. The name’s pronunciation is DAV nat. The village of Tydavnet, not far from her birthplace, was named in her honor.

But between the 600s and today, we came to know her as Dympna or Dymphna. It may be that there are two separate figures. Or the story of Damhnait’s flight might be accurate. Some say she made it all the way to Belgium before dad tracked her down. In Belgium, there’s a town called Geel, and one of the smaller villages that make up Geel was originally called Sint-Dimpna.

The saint’s relics remain in a church in Geel, and the tiny town became known for as a center for healing. But get this – it’s not the conventional miracle served up here. Instead, Dymphna is said to cure mental disorders and nervous conditions. For centuries, patients have come to Geel, so many that an annex was built onto the church to lodge the afflicted. But the lodge was soon bursting, and thus began a remarkably forward-thinking tradition: in Geel, patients seeking treatment live with local families. It is still considered a model program.

While there are some missing links, the end result is this: Damhnait became Latinized as Dymphna, possibly via the Dutch, and an Irish princess became the patron saint of the mentally ill. Forget the “v” sound; this name is now said DIMF nah.

Should you be near Ohio, you can visit the National Shrine of St. Dymphna, the first church in the U.S. dedicated to the saint.

There are just a few uses outside of the church:

  • Australian writer Dymphna Cusack;
  • Australian politician Dympna Beard;
  • Anthony Burgess gave the name to a minor character in his 1962 dystopian novel The Wanting Seed.

The name has never appeared in the US Top 1000, and fewer than five were born in the US in 2009. While obscure saints’ names are popular with parents for lots of reasons, Dymphna’s sound is a little awkward. It’s no wonder she hasn’t caught on.

And yet, the more I hear Dymphna, the more I wonder if it isn’t a mistake to count her out. It’s an intriguing tale, and an interesting sound. Like any D name, the nicknames Dee and Didi are possible. For the truly daring who don’t mind wearing their faith on their sleeve, Dymphna could be an option.

More names you might like:

  • Baby Name of the Day: PerditaBaby Name of the Day: Perdita
  • A to Z: Single Syllable Names for GirlsA to Z: Single Syllable Names for Girls
  • Baby Name of the Day: AdriaBaby Name of the Day: Adria
  • Reader Baby Name Story: The Calm After the StormReader Baby Name Story: The Calm After the Storm
  • Baby Name Anastasia: Dramatic and MeaningfulBaby Name Anastasia: Dramatic and Meaningful

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print

Comments

  1. Wintet says

    March 14, 2016 at 7:42 PM

    My two cents worth, Fanny, would make an excellent nickname for Dymphna. Other possible choices are Pia, Dyna (Dina) and Dimples . Dimple is adorable whether one had them or not. Dimple usually seen as a sign of mirth and youthfulness, and those are not bad associations. I also like the fact that Dymphna honor mothers out their with the English name Fawn. Fawn is my middle name and I have a brother who quadriplegic CP. So for me, I see many reasons as to why one could use Dymphna. Also, there was a famous actress and model named Fawn back in the 1960’s, so it wouldn’t be too much of stretch to say that it could be seen fashionable.

    Reply
  2. Olivia says

    December 29, 2012 at 4:03 PM

    Now that I think of it, I don’t know why I didn’t choose this as my Confirmation name! I chose Ann to honor my grandmother, but we’re Irish and *her* Confirmation name is Dymphna! Oh well, I do suppose Olivia Catherine Ann flows better than Olivia Catherine Dymphnal. Anyway it is a beautiful and interesting name that is very usable in the middle spot, especially if you have a tie to it like this one.

    Reply
  3. Sebastiane says

    December 20, 2011 at 11:27 AM

    This was my confirmation name. I used it because I loved the history and legend behind the saint, but when I picked it, I really like the name itself. I now have grown to love it. I do use it as my initials from time to time.

    Reply
  4. Dymphna says

    March 21, 2011 at 12:04 PM

    My name is Dymphna. It has always been a good conversation piece..I have never met another one throughout school, work or in my community. I did shorten it to Dee aged 10yrs, however, as I have become more grown up I prefer to use my full name. I Love my name now. I pronounce it Dim’f’nar.
    ps: Loads of history steaped in my name..Beautiful Irish princess 600ad!

    Reply
    • Detna says

      April 23, 2012 at 12:52 PM

      My birth name is Dymphna. I was named after a Sister of Charity, Sister Dymphna, who helped with my delivery at St Mary’s Hospital in Galveston, Texas. My mother decided to “Americanize” the name and I’ve always been called Detna (what’s American about that name?)!

      Reply
  5. Isadora says

    March 4, 2011 at 3:31 AM

    Dymphna’s a favorite of mine. I was caught off gaurd by it at first, but then slowly fell in love with it. She’s also the patron saint of princesses. Plus it sounds like “dimples,” which can’t be bad, right?

    I should point out that while her “official” story is interesting, it has an eerie similarity to Donkey-skins, a French fairy tale. I don’t know which came first.

    Reply
  6. Lemon says

    March 4, 2011 at 1:41 AM

    Ah. I can’t get behind Dymphna. Something sounds…wrong about it. I just can’t place it! It sort of sounds like something inappropriate, or maybe a part of a plant or body part, or maybe it sounds like some foreign word? I’ve got no clue.

    Here’s one I’ve heard: Myrna. [MYRRH-nuh].

    Reply
  7. Julie says

    March 4, 2011 at 1:33 AM

    I always fascinated my the legends of the martyrs, but Dymphna feels like a J. K. Rowling creation to me. Actually, I was certain there was a character named Dymphna, but I was thinking of Nymphadora.

    Reply
    • Julie says

      March 4, 2011 at 1:35 AM

      I really shouldn’t write replies late at night. I meant…

      I’m always fascinated by the legends of the martyrs,

      Reply
  8. Joy says

    March 3, 2011 at 9:37 PM

    Reminds me of Daphne as well as Dyna/Dinah. Also reminds me of Hmmph!

    Reply
  9. Colleen says

    March 3, 2011 at 7:57 PM

    While on a vacation to Ireland, I met an elderly woman who told me all about her daughter who had moved to Chicago. Her daughter’s name was Dymphna. The mother seemed very proud of her daughter and made sure that I knew that she was named after a saint.

    It’s an interesting name but with that back story, I just don’t think this one is for me.

    Reply
  10. Bewildertrix says

    March 3, 2011 at 4:07 PM

    Absolutely charming back story on this one *coughs violently*. I wish I could un-read it.

    Not a fan but I can see how some might like the doughy sound.

    Reply
    • appellationmountain says

      March 3, 2011 at 6:13 PM

      Well, yes. I’m astonished at how many saints’ backstories read something like this: determined to maintain her virtue, she fled, and when her pursuer caught up with her, she died a horrible death.

      Reply
      • Bewildertrix says

        March 3, 2011 at 6:52 PM

        Yup, although it was the possible incest angle that launched it into the WTF? category. *shakes fist at Wikipedia* It was too early in the morning to even attempt to process that kind of thing!

        Reply
  11. sadiesadie says

    March 3, 2011 at 1:43 PM

    When I saw the title all I thought was…Say What?
    It would be a great name for parents who want a legit name that is almost completely unknown.

    Reply
    • appellationmountain says

      March 3, 2011 at 6:15 PM

      I remember thinking that when I read “The Wanting Seed.” I had literally never heard the name before. Thought actually, Dymphna’s death in the story is actually worse than the saint’s demise, so …

      Reply
  12. Sarah A says

    March 3, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    Her story is fascinating, but Dymphna is way too clunky in my opinion. I say it and I think of Daphne, nymph, dumpy, and dimpy. No thanks.

    Reply
  13. Charlotte Vera says

    March 3, 2011 at 12:04 PM

    She’s got a fascinating and inspiring story, but Dymphna is simply too clunky for my tastes.

    Reply
  14. C in DC says

    March 3, 2011 at 11:10 AM

    I can see lots of confusing with Daphne and nymph. This doesn’t work for me at all, although I like that she’s the patroness for the mentally ill.

    Reply
    • appellationmountain says

      March 3, 2011 at 6:20 PM

      I find that incredibly appealing, too – though I didn’t read far enough to figure out how she ended up patroness.

      Reply
  15. Lola says

    March 3, 2011 at 8:08 AM

    St. Dymphna was a popular saint when I was a little kid. I got her card in school, but probably tossed it shortly after. 😀

    Dymphna’s got a sweet, gentle sound but looks rather lumpy. I like saying Dymphna but not looking at her. As a non – Catholic, I’d probably not use Dymphna but she’d be really neat on someone else’s kid. Stellar middle material, though!

    Reply
    • appellationmountain says

      March 3, 2011 at 6:23 PM

      I’m even more intrigued by Damhnait – wonder if it is ever used?

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter


POPULAR POSTS

Tweets by @appmtn
Visit Appellation Mountain's profile on Pinterest.

Copyright © 2022 · AppellationMountain.net on Genesis Framework · Privacy Policy · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.