Irish girl name
Eithne Name Meaning, Origin & Pronunciation
Eithne means kernel. From the Old Irish eithne, meaning kernel or grain
Eithne is an ancient Irish name that appears widely in early Irish saints' lives and legend. It is derived from an Old Irish word for kernel or grain, which gives it a rooted, earthy meaning. In Ireland it is often pronounced EN-ya, and in other places ETH-nya, depending on the region. The singer known as Enya takes her stage name from the common Irish-language pronunciation of her given name. Eithne is a classic choice that feels timeless and has stayed in use for well over a thousand years.
Computer-generated voice, as a guide to pronunciation.
Variants of Eithne
EnyaEthnaEthneaEna
Well-known people named Eithne
Enya.
Eithne popularity: Ireland vs the US
In 2013 Eithne ranked #894 in Ireland (3 babies) and #13,673 in the US (6 babies). It is far more popular in Ireland than in America.
Ireland (girls)United States (girls)
Rank among babies of the same sex, 1 = most popular (log scale). Ranks below #10,000 sit on the bottom edge. Gaps mean fewer than 3 Irish or 5 US babies that year.
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 Eithne mean?
Eithne means "kernel". From the Old Irish eithne, meaning kernel or grain.
How do you pronounce Eithne?
Eithne is pronounced ETH-nya.
What is the origin of Eithne?
Eithne is of Irish origin. From the Old Irish eithne, meaning kernel or grain.