Gráinne (given name)
Gráinne is a feminine given name in the Irish language. The name is of an uncertain origin, although it is possible that it may be connected with the word "Ghrian", meaning "the Sun". In Irish legend, Deorghrianne (a Tear of the Sun), is the daughter of Fiachna, Son of Betach. The name is also borne by a famed character in Irish mythology—Gráinne, who was the daughter of Cormac mac Airt, a legendary High King of Ireland.[1]
 Gráinne in a Gaelic type. | |
| Gender | Feminine |
|---|---|
| Language(s) | Irish |
| Other names | |
| Anglicisation(s) | Grace, Gertrude, Gertie |
The name can be Latinised as Grania; and can be Anglicised as Granya.[1] The name Gráinne can also be represented in English as Grace, Gertrude, and Gertie.[2] These English names are etymologically unrelated to Gráinne.[1] Gráinne is pronounced as 'Grawn-ya' in all dialects bar Ulster Irish where it is pronounced as 'Grah-nya'.
Bearers of the name
- Gráinne, daughter of Cormac mac Airt
- Gráinne Ní Mháille (c.1530–c.1603), Queen of Umaill, Chieftain of the Clan Ó Máille, and pirate. Also known as 'The Pirate Queen'
- Grainne Clancy (born 1961), Irish cricketer
- Gráinne Conole (born 1964), Irish academic.
- Grainne Duffy, singer-songwriter
- Grainne Gallanagh (born 1994), Irish model
- Grainne Godfree, American television writer
- Grainne Kierans, (born 1978), Irish international footballer.
- Grainne Leahy (born 1966), Irish cricketer
- Grainne McGoldrick, Irish camogie player.
- Gráinne Mulvey (born 1966), Irish composer.
- Gráinne Murphy (born 1993), Irish swimmer.
- Gráinne Seoige (born 1973), television presenter.
References
- Hanks, Patrick; Hardcastle, Kate; Hodges, Flavia (2006), A Dictionary of First Names, Oxford Paperback Reference (2nd ed.), Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 110, 113, 349, ISBN 978-0-19-861060-1
- Gráinne, Library Ireland (www.libraryireland.com), retrieved 9 November 2010 which is a transcription of: Woulfe, Patrick (1923), Irish Names and Surnames