Eithne: Meaning, Pronunciation and Origin
Eithne is an Irish girl's name meaning “kernel, seed.” Here’s how to say it, where it comes from, and names that go well with it.
Updated September 2026
- Meaning
- Kernel, seed
- Gender
- Girl
- English forms
- Enya
How do you pronounce Eithne?
Eithne is pronounced EN-ya. It has two syllables, with the stress on the first. Other spellings: Eitna.
What does Eithne mean?
Eithne means “kernel of a nut or seed” but it may also be related to Aidan meaning “little fire.” There are at least nine St. Eithnes. One 6th century St. Eithne was the mother of St. Columba. Before the birth of her son an angel appeared to her displaying a beautifully colored cloak covered with wonderful flowers. When she reached for the cloak it rose into the air, and spreading out, floated over land and sea until it seemed to rest upon the hills of a distant land. This vision foretold that her little son was to travel over the seas and there win great distinction and honour.
How popular is Eithne in Ireland?
Eithne wasn't in the 2025 tables, which list names given to at least three babies. It was last recorded in 2013, when 3 baby girls got the name. It was most popular in 1966, when 48 baby girls were named Eithne, No. 119 that year. The records go back to 1964, when 41 baby girls were given the name.
See the numbers by year
| Year | Babies | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 3 | No. 894 |
| 2009 | 4 | No. 742 |
| 2003 | 4 | No. 559 |
| 2000 | 4 | No. 465 |
| 1999 | 3 | No. 528 |
| 1998 | 3 | No. 498 |
| 1997 | 6 | No. 394 |
| 1996 | 5 | No. 429 |
| 1995 | 6 | No. 384 |
| 1994 | 8 | No. 329 |
| 1993 | 4 | No. 448 |
| 1992 | 7 | No. 363 |
| 1991 | 14 | No. 250 |
| 1990 | 7 | No. 357 |
| 1988 | 8 | No. 344 |
| 1987 | 5 | No. 417 |
| 1986 | 17 | No. 227 |
| 1985 | 12 | No. 283 |
| 1984 | 13 | No. 280 |
| 1983 | 11 | No. 298 |
| 1982 | 28 | No. 196 |
| 1981 | 14 | No. 272 |
| 1980 | 17 | No. 258 |
| 1979 | 16 | No. 261 |
| 1978 | 27 | No. 204 |
| 1977 | 27 | No. 195 |
| 1976 | 23 | No. 215 |
| 1975 | 25 | No. 199 |
| 1974 | 38 | No. 170 |
| 1973 | 32 | No. 182 |
| 1972 | 43 | No. 150 |
| 1971 | 40 | No. 156 |
| 1970 | 40 | No. 146 |
| 1969 | 40 | No. 148 |
| 1968 | 39 | No. 141 |
| 1967 | 38 | No. 140 |
| 1966 | 48 | No. 119 |
| 1965 | 41 | No. 128 |
| 1964 | 41 | No. 126 |
Eithne in Ogham
Ogham is the oldest way of writing Irish. It was carved along the edges of standing stones, mostly between the 4th and 6th centuries, and read from the bottom up. In later tradition each letter was named after a tree or plant. Here’s Eithne, letter by letter.
- EEadhadh, aspen
- IIodhadh, yew
- TTinne, holly
- HUath, hawthorn
- NNion, ash
- EEadhadh, aspen
Write any name in Ogham with our Ogham translator
Names that go with Eithne
Questions about Eithne
- How do you pronounce Eithne?
- Eithne is pronounced EN-ya. Two syllables, stress on the first. There's a short video above where you can hear it said.
- What does Eithne mean?
- Eithne means “kernel, seed.”
- Is Eithne a girl's name or a boy's name?
- Eithne is a girl's name.
- What is Eithne in English?
- The English form of Eithne is Enya.