Eithne
Say it: EN-ya/ˈɛnʲə/
GirlIrishMythologyMeans traditionally "kernel" or "grain"6 letters2 syllables
Unranked
in 2025
0
babies in 2025
#119
best rank (1966)
761
babies since 1964
Eithne through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (girls) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 3 | #894 |
| 2009 | 4 | #742 |
| 2003 | 4 | #559 |
| 2000 | 4 | #465 |
| 1999 | 3 | #527 |
| 1998 | 3 | #499 |
| 1997 | 6 | #394 |
| 1996 | 5 | #429 |
| 1995 | 6 | #384 |
| 1994 | 8 | #329 |
| 1993 | 4 | #448 |
| 1992 | 7 | #364 |
| 1991 | 14 | #250 |
| 1990 | 7 | #357 |
| 1988 | 8 | #344 |
| 1987 | 5 | #417 |
| 1986 | 17 | #227 |
| 1985 | 12 | #283 |
| 1984 | 13 | #280 |
| 1983 | 11 | #298 |
| 1982 | 28 | #196 |
| 1981 | 14 | #272 |
| 1980 | 17 | #258 |
| 1979 | 16 | #261 |
| 1978 | 27 | #204 |
| 1977 | 27 | #195 |
| 1976 | 23 | #215 |
| 1975 | 25 | #199 |
| 1974 | 38 | #170 |
| 1973 | 32 | #182 |
| 1972 | 43 | #150 |
| 1971 | 40 | #156 |
| 1970 | 40 | #146 |
| 1969 | 40 | #148 |
| 1968 | 39 | #141 |
| 1967 | 38 | #140 |
| 1966 | 48 | #119 |
| 1965 | 41 | #128 |
| 1964 | 41 | #126 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Eithne mean?
Traditionally "kernel" or "grain"
Irish, from Old Irish Eithne, traditionally linked with eithne (kernel, grain).
Say it right
ENya
Many people in Ireland follow the spelling and say ETH-na or EH-na. The singer Enya's name grew out of the Irish sound of Eithne.
Not:EETH-nee
The story of Eithne
Eithne is an Old Irish name, found in a text from around the 8th century. It is traditionally linked with eithne, kernel or grain, but language scholars have pointed out problems with that explanation, so the meaning is best treated as uncertain. Enya, Ena, Ethna and Edna all grew out of it.
In myth Eithne, also called Ethniu, is the daughter of the Fomorian king Balor and the mother of Lugh. The name was common among real women too. St Colm Cille’s mother was called Eithne, and two royal sisters, Eithne and Fedelm, are said to have been baptised by St Patrick. The best-known modern bearer is the singer Enya, born Eithne Ní Bhraonáin.
Eithne was at its most popular in the 1960s. Its best year was 1966, when 48 girls were given the name and it reached number 119. It has become rare since, and no year after 2013 has had the three or more babies needed to appear in the CSO list.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Eithne (Irish, Middle Irish and Old Irish proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Eithne
- CSO VSA60, Girls Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Eithne | under 3 | 761 |