Irish boy name
Cathbad Name Meaning, Origin & Pronunciation
Cathbad means battle crow. From Irish cath, meaning battle, and a second part often explained as a crow.
Cathbad is the druid of Ulster in the Ulster Cycle, a seer who predicts at Deirdre's birth that she will bring ruin to Ulster, and who is said in some accounts to be the father of King Conchobar. He is a wise and respected advisor, and appears in several tales alongside Cú Chulainn, to whom he gives the prophecy about the length of his life. The name is very rare today. It will suit those drawn to wisdom, druids and prophecy, and is easy to say.
Variants of Cathbad
CathbadhCathbhadhCathfad
Cathbad popularity: Ireland vs the US
Cathbad does not appear in the official Irish or US baby name rankings, which only list names given to a handful of babies a year. It is a rare choice in both countries.
Data: US Social Security Administration (public domain) and Central Statistics Office, Ireland (CC BY 4.0). Irish accented spellings (such as Síle) are only recorded from 2018, so earlier years combine spellings.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Cathbad mean?
Cathbad means "battle crow". From Irish cath, meaning battle, and a second part often explained as a crow.
How do you pronounce Cathbad?
Cathbad is pronounced KAH-vad.
What is the origin of Cathbad?
Cathbad is of Irish origin. From Irish cath, meaning battle, and a second part often explained as a crow.