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Eimear

Girl name · 26 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Eimear: 26 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 5 births in 2016.

Though rooted in Irish Gaelic, Eimear has seen steady, modest use in Scotland, where parents appreciate its lyrical, ancient feel. The name is derived from the Old Irish *Eimhear*, meaning “swift” or “ready,” and is the name of the legendary wife of the hero Cú Chulainn in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology—a woman renowned for her beauty, wisdom, and six perfect gifts. In more recent times, Irish actress Eimear O’Neill has brought the name to stage and screen. The Scottish island of Islay shares no etymological link, but the similar-sounding place-name Éiriú (the Irish name for Ireland) shares the same root as Eimear, hinting at a very old, shared linguistic heritage. A common modern variant in Scotland is Emer, which is slightly simpler in spelling but carries the same warrior-queen glamour.