Ide
EE-DAH
From the Old Irish 'ed', interpreted as thirst or yearning, particularly a thirst for goodness, wisdom, or virtue. Saint Ide of Killeedy, who lived in the 5th and 6th centuries, was one of the most venerated female saints of Ireland, known as the foster-mother of the saints of Ireland. Her name became associated with spiritual nurturing and moral earnestness.
At a glance
A rare, ancient Irish saint's name of beautiful simplicity, carrying a meaning of spiritual yearning and associated with one of Ireland's most beloved female saints.
Etymology & History
Ide is the anglicised form of the Old Irish name 'Ite' or 'Ita', derived from the word 'ed' or 'ite', understood as thirst or longing, with specific connotations of a yearning for goodness or wisdom. The name is found in the hagiographical record from the early medieval period. Saint Ide is recorded in Aengus the Culdee's Martyrology of the 9th century. Over time the spelling and pronunciation were anglicised to Ide, with two syllables, EE-DAH.
Cultural Significance
Saint Ide, also known as Ita or Mide, is one of the Three Patronesses of Ireland alongside Brigid and Attracta. She founded a monastic school at Killeedy in County Limerick in the 6th century, where she reportedly fostered and educated Saint Brendan the Navigator. She is commemorated on 15 January and is widely venerated in Munster. The name Ide is strongly associated with Irish Catholic heritage and the tradition of female sanctity in Celtic Christianity. In modern Ireland it remains in use, though it is less common than it once was, carrying a sense of historical depth and quiet pride.
Famous people named Ide
Saint Ide of Killeedy
A 5th to 6th century Irish saint, known as the foster-mother of the saints of Ireland, who ran a school for young boys in County Limerick
Frequently Asked Questions
Names like Ide
Aoife
“Beautiful, radiant”
From the Old Irish aoibh, meaning beauty or radiance. In Irish mythology, Aoife was a formidable warrior princess, giving the name associations of beauty combined with fierce strength.
Caoimhe
“Gentle, beautiful”
From the Irish caomh, meaning gentle, beautiful, or precious. Caoimhe captures a quality of tender grace, suggesting someone who is valued and cherished.
Clodagh
“From the River Clody”
Clodagh derives from the River Clody (Clóideach) in County Tipperary, Ireland, making it one of the rare Irish names with a purely geographical origin rather than a mythological or descriptive one.
Eithne
“Kernel, grain”
Eithne is an ancient Irish name meaning "kernel" or "grain," derived from the Old Irish word etne. The meaning speaks to something essential and nourishing, the vital core from which life grows. It is one of the oldest names in the Irish tradition, borne by queens, saints, and mythological figures across many centuries. The celebrated singer Enya uses an anglicised phonetic spelling of this name.
Niamh
“Bright, radiant”
From the Old Irish niamh, meaning bright, radiant, or lustrous. In Irish mythology, Niamh was a goddess of beauty who led the hero Oisin to Tir na nOg, the land of eternal youth.
Saoirse
“Freedom, liberty”
From the Irish word saoirse, meaning freedom or liberty. The name emerged in the 20th century as an expression of Irish independence and has since become one of the most recognised Irish names worldwide.
Siobhan
“God is gracious”
Siobhan is the Irish form of the name Joan, ultimately derived from the Hebrew Yohanan, meaning 'God is gracious.' It carries centuries of Irish linguistic tradition within its distinctive spelling and pronunciation.
Where you'll find Ide
Ide shows up in these curated collections across Namekin.