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Irish Daily Star

Rare Irish girl's name with a beautiful meaning has a little-known link to a famous celebrity

There is no shortage of beautiful Irish girls' names to choose from, but some are less common than others. In recent years, classic names like Mary and Bridget have resurged. However, many parents are still searching for unique and contemporary Irish names while paying homage to their heritage. An easy way to find a rare and special name is to look at the Irish translation of common names. One very famous Irish singer chose to go by her unique first name, Enya. However, the name is an anglicized version of a gorgeous Irish name. She might be known all over the world as Enya, but her real name is Eithne Pádraigín Ní Bhraonáin. Read More Related Articles Donald Trump branded 'dumbest President ever' after six-word comment about Congo Read More Related Articles Deranged Trump posts mad 184-word Easter message taking aim at all his enemies The talented singer was born and raised in Gweedore , Co Donegal , a Gaeltacht region, where Irish is the primary language . Eithne - pronounced Eith-nah or Et-neh - is an old Irish name, and means little seed or kernel. Interestingly, it was used as a term of praise, in Bardic poetry, which was a type of writing produced by highly trained 'filidh' or 'bards,' in the 17th century. Enya grew up in Gweedore in Co Donegal. She grew up speaking the Irish language, and began to learn English once she attended primary school. In Bardic poetry, Eithne or 'kernel' signified a person's inner strength, virtue, or true nature. It represented a person's fundamental quality and strength of character rather than their outward appearance. Therefore, Eithne became a name closely associated with goodness, virtue, and moral integrity. It is still a cherished choice for parents who want to give their child a name that embodies these traits. Eithne also has ties to mythology, appearing as the daughter of Balor, wife of Cian, and mother of the renowned Celtic hero Lugh. Eithne symbolizes the life-giving force inherent in the grains that sustain the people of Ireland. She has a deep connection to agriculture and symbolizes fertility and abundance. Parents have been leaning more toward names rooted in nature, which Ireland has plenty of. Some of the most popular in recent years have been Fiadh - pronounced Fee-ah - which means little deer, and Bláthnaid – pronounced blaw-nad – meaning flower. Names with celestial connotations have also been on the rise, perhaps the most common being Réalta , which means star. The lead singer of the popular band Fontaines DC is named Grian, which means sun. For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here .