WeeNames Scotland’s favourite name finder

← All names

Eithne

Girl name · 3 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Eithne: 3 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 3 births in 1997.

Pronounced roughly "EN-yuh" or "ETH-nuh" depending on the dialect, the beautiful and lyrical name Eithne is of Irish and Scottish Gaelic origin, meaning "kernel" or "grain," symbolising life and nourishment. In ancient Irish mythology, Eithne was the mother of the god Lugh, and the name graced several early Irish saints. Perhaps its most famous modern bearer is the beloved Irish folk singer Enya, whose stage name is an anglicised spelling of Eithne. The name also connects to the Scottish island of Eigg, whose name shares the same root meaning of "small grain" or "notch." It’s rarely used in Scotland today compared to its Irish homeland, making it a distinctive and deeply traditional choice for parents seeking a name with ancient roots and a gentle, earthy feel.

Girl 1 of 52 years

Peak year
19973 babies
Latest (1997)
#6533 babies
Total births
3since 1997
5-year trend
≈ stablevs prior 5y
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 1997 · 3
Births per year in Scotland. Missing years had a count of 2 or fewer (suppressed by NRS).