Eithne
Not to be confused with Eithne (opera).
Eithne is a female personal name of Irish origin.
Other spellings and earlier forms include: Ethnea, Ethlend, Ethnen, Ethlenn, Ethnenn, Eithene, Ethne, Aithne, Enya, Ena, Edna, Etney, Eithnenn, Eithlenn, Eithna, Ethni, Edlend, Edlenn.
Eithne is considered by some sources to be the feminine cognate of the name Aidan.[1]
The name is popular in Ireland, and is borne by a variety of historical and legendary figures.
Ancient
- Ethniu, daughter of Balor and mother of Lug in Irish mythology
- Eithne and Sodelb, Leinster saints
- Eithne, daughter of the king of Alba, wife of the High King Fiacha Finnfolaidh and mother of Tuathal Teachtmhar
- Eithne, the mother of Saint Columba
Modern
- Eithne Farry, former literary editor of Elle
- Eithne Fitzgerald, Irish economist and former Labour Party politician.
- Eithne Hannigan, Irish musician and actress who played one of five Dots on children's TV show Playbus (later Playdays)
- Eithne Ní Uallacháin, singer and musician
- Eithne Walls, a physician and former dancer, who danced with the popular Riverdance group on Broadway, died on the Air France Flight 447 crash on June 1, 2009
- Enya Brennan (Eithne Ní Bhraonáin), musician
- LÉ Eithne (P31), a ship in the Irish Naval Service
See also
References
- ↑ Macleod, Iseabail and Freedman, Terry: The Wordsworth Dictionary of First Names, Wordsworth Editions, 1995, ISBN 1-85326-366-4, p.74.