This is one of Ireland’s most ancient names its origin is so old that it is actually unclear where the name actually came from. This could be a result of the times as freedom was foremost on the minds of the Irish people during the War of Independence 12. This stunning name became popular as a girls name in Ireland during the early 1920’s. This beautiful and meaningful Irish name means freedom. While looking for Sadhbh, Fionn came across a young boy wandering in the forest, as soon as he looked at the boy he recognized the face of his wife, that boy was their son Oisin. The spiteful Druid in a fit of jealousy turned Sadhbh back into a dear, Fionn spent years searching for her. When she got to the fort she returned to human form. Fionn’s wolfhounds were also humans trapped in animal form and did not hurt Sadhbh. On her way to Fionn’s Fort, the leader of the Fianna found her out hunting. After a number of years trapped in animal form a servant of the Dark Druid told Sadhbh that if she set foot on the Fort of the Fianna she would return to human form, as the magic of Fer Dorich didn’t work there. The dark evil Druid, Fer Dorich turned her into a Doe for refusing to love him. Sadhbh features in ancient Irish mythology. The legend says that Oisin met Saint Patrick and told him the stories of ancient Ireland. He stopped to help a man move a stone, when be bent down to lift the stone the belt on the saddle snapped and he hit the ground, turning into an old man.

She was jealous of his 4 beautiful children and cast a wicked spell to change them into swans. Aoife also appears in the Irish legend of The Children of Lir, and was second wife of Lir the ruler of the sea. In legend she was defeated in combat by the Irish Hero Cuchulainn and eventually fell in love with him. In Irish Mythology, Aoife was a warrior princess and was locked in a bitter feud with her sister Scathach.

Aoife – Pronounced ‘E-fa’Īoife derives from the Irish word aoibh and means beauty.

Many associated with our ancient Gods the Tuatha de Danann and the ancient myths surrounding and engulfing this ancient land. Irish girls names hold a special meaning and beauty that give the bearer a special link with our ancient past. Nothing is more individual than our beautiful girl names, all of which are full of history and meaning. Our unique language, music and legends have delighted and intrigued generations of Irish people and their descendants. Ireland has an amazing history and culture that has spread throughout the world.

How to you pronounce caoimhe