Irish girl name
Tailtiu Name Meaning, Origin & Pronunciation
Tailtiu means foster-mother of lugh. Old Irish name of the foster-mother of Lugh, from whom the Tailteann Games take their name.
Tailtiu was the foster-mother of the god Lugh, and she is said to have died after clearing the plain of Tailtin in County Meath for farming. In her memory Lugh established a great assembly with games and fairs, the Tailteann Games, which were held at what is now Teltown. The Irish state revived the Tailteann Games in the 1920s. The modern form of the name is Tailte, and it is quite rare. It has a strong link with land, nurture and fostering, and suits parents interested in the ancient fairs and the story of Lugh.
Variants of Tailtiu
TailteTailltiu
Tailtiu popularity: Ireland vs the US
Tailtiu 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 Tailtiu mean?
Tailtiu means "foster-mother of lugh". Old Irish name of the foster-mother of Lugh, from whom the Tailteann Games take their name.
How do you pronounce Tailtiu?
Tailtiu is pronounced TAL-tyoo.
What is the origin of Tailtiu?
Tailtiu is of Irish origin. Old Irish name of the foster-mother of Lugh, from whom the Tailteann Games take their name.