Aine

♀ Girl

Pronounced AWN-yeh /ˈɑːnjə/High

Meaning: Brightness, radiance, or joy; from Old Irish áine meaning radiance or brilliance, the name of a powerful goddess of summer, wealth, and sovereignty in Irish mythologyHigh

In 30 seconds: Aine is a luminous Irish goddess name meaning brightness and radiance, one of the oldest feminine names in the Celtic tradition — deceptively simple on the page yet rich with mythological power.

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Origin HighIrish, Celtic

MeaningBrightness, radiance, or joy; from Old Irish áine meaning radiance or brilliance, the name of a powerful goddess of summer, wealth, and sovereignty in Irish mythology

U.S. rank (2024)#3112 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births51 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2004

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,648

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

In Irish mythology, Áine was a powerful goddess associated with the sun, summer, love, and fertility. She was the daughter of Manannán mac Lir, the sea god, and was worshipped at Lough Gur in County Limerick. The name is among the oldest recorded Irish feminine names and appears in early medieval texts.

Throughout Irish history, Áine was a popular name among Gaelic nobility. It was often anglicized to Anne or Agnes by English administrators who could not manage the Irish pronunciation, erasing centuries of mythological depth in a single syllable. A revival of Irish names since the 20th century has restored Áine to popular use in Ireland.

Did you know? Aine was the Irish goddess of summer, cattle, and sovereignty, associated with Knockainey hill in County Limerick where festivals were held in her honor at midsummer — one of the most ancient celebrations in Irish mythology.

Overall data confidence 95%

Dictionary of the Irish Language (DIL) — áine meaning radiance, brillianceO hOgain, Myth, Legend and Romance: An Encyclopaedia of the Irish Folk Tradition — goddess Aine and her mythology

Variations

EnyaAnyaAnnaAgnes

Nicknames

Ani

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Aine…

Niamh— same ancient Irish mythological origin and feminine radiance

Saoirse— shares the Irish Gaelic heritage and deceptive simplicity of spelling

Aoife— fellow Irish goddess name with a beautiful but challenging pronunciation

Ciara— same Irish tradition with a nature-themed meaning

Frequently Asked

What does the name Aine mean?

Aine means brightness, radiance, or joy in Old Irish. It was the name of a powerful goddess of summer and sovereignty in Irish mythology.

How do you pronounce Aine?

Aine is pronounced AWN-yeh in Irish Gaelic, two syllables with stress on the first. The -ne ending makes the ya sound.

Is Aine a boy or girl name?

Aine is a feminine name from Irish mythology and is used exclusively as a girls name.

How popular is Aine?

Aine is a consistently popular name in Ireland and among Irish diaspora communities, and is gaining international appeal alongside other Irish mythology names.