Cathal
Boy name · 25 babies recorded · 1974–2025
Cathal: 25 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 4 births in 2006.
Cathal is an ancient Irish and Scottish Gaelic name, derived from the elements *cath* ("battle") and *val* ("rule"), giving it the meaning "battle ruler" or "mighty in war." Perhaps the most famous bearer was Cathal mac Finguine, an 8th-century King of Munster who fought to expand his kingdom's power. The name also carries saintly associations through Saint Cathal, a 7th-century Irish missionary who founded a church in what is now Austria. While there are no major places named directly for a Cathal, the name shares its root with the Irish county Mayo's Cnoc Cathal, an ancient hill fort. A particularly well-known modern variant is the anglicised spelling "Cahal."
Boy 8 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 20064 babies
- Latest (2025)
- #7623 babies
- Total births
- 25since 1992
- 5-year trend
- ▲ 7%vs prior 5y