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Life

14th Jan 2016

What Your Irish Name Really Means

"Tríonas love to steal cheese and other dairy produce"

Ciara Knight

Irish names have been receiving quite a bit of international attention lately.

You can barely walk down the street these days without meeting a Ciara, Saoirse, Mairéad or Gráinne Seoige.

But does anyone know what these beautiful names actually mean? Let’s find out.

Sinéad

This name is derived from the practice of medicine, literally a ‘shin aid’, i.e. someone that is a leg doctor. They are generally quite tall and fond of yoghurts. Girls called Sinéad are usually very caring and sound.

Siobhán

This beautiful name is passed down from years of a disregard for fashion. Girls would ‘shove on’ their clothes with gay abandon for any type of trendy attire. Siobháns take hair conditioning very seriously. Girls called Siobhán are usually very caring and sound.

Tríona 

Another classic Irish name, Tríona has a rather unfortunate meaning – gluttony. The name is derived from literally meaning ‘three in a’, for example, she has three in a bag there, the greedy scamp. Tríonas love to steal cheese and other dairy produce. Girls called Tríona are usually very caring and sound.

Sadbh

This gorgeous name is a bit of a juxtaposition as it essentially means ‘a sigh’. It denotes a dissatisfaction with life and is pretty much just a sound effect. Sadbhs usually travel in groups called a ‘struggle’. Girls called Sadbh are usually very caring and sound.

Eva

Controversially, the name Eva has a British heritage, as it is taken from a Londoner’s pronunciation of ‘either’. However, we’ve taken that name on as our own on this emerald isle because we’re divils. Evas love Willem Dafoe’s earlier work. Girls called Eva are usually very caring and sound.

Aideen

This beautiful name has an equally beautiful meaning: calling after your friend, ‘eh, Dean’. Aideen has a friendly and inquisitive nature, but is also a huge fan of the magnificent actor Dean Gaffney. Girls called Aideen are usually very caring and sound.

Cliodhna

Another questionably British-influenced name, Cliodhna means ‘cleaner’, as this is how a harsh English accent would pronounce it. As the name suggests, Cliodhna is very neat and tidy, with her preferred cleaning products including Mr. Muscle and Febreeze. Girls called Cliodhna are usually very caring and sound.

Sheena

What a delightful name. However, it does not have a delightful meaning. Sheenas tend to be quite catty towards other females, often quoted as saying ‘She? Na’, when asked their opinions of others. They also have a softer side that loves animals, particularly squirrels. Girls called Sheena are usually very caring and sound.

Fiona

This beautiful Irish name means ‘one who is always in debt’, or literally, a ‘fee owner’. Fionas can be a bit too relaxed with paying off their debts, resulting in increased interest rates and tempers. They also love a party (ring, as in biscuit). Girls called Fiona are usually very caring and sound.

Orla

This gorgeous name means ‘indecisive’, particularly when it comes to location. Orlas are generally home birds, so they struggle with deciding whether they should stay in Ireland ‘or LA’, for example. Orlas’ favourite TV programme is Xposé. Girls called Orla are usually very caring and sound.