Ireland

At a Glance

Meaning

Literally 'land of Ériu,' the goddess/personification for whom the island is named

Origin

Irish/Old English

Gender

Neutral

Pronunciation

EYE-er-landListen

Ireland is a neutral name with Irish/Old English roots, pronounced EYE-er-land, and it literally means 'land of Ériu' — the goddess the island itself was named for. You may have seen it described as meaning 'land of abundance' or 'fertile land,' but that's an embellishment of the actual etymology; the name traces to Ériu, not directly to fertility or abundance.

Meaning & Origin of Ireland

Meaning: Literally 'land of Ériu,' the goddess/personification for whom the island is named.

Origin: Irish/Old English.

A common claim: Ireland is often said to mean 'land of abundance' or 'fertile land' Actually: This embellishes the literal etymology — 'Ireland' literally means 'land of Ériu' (the goddess for whom the island is named); 'abundance' isn't a direct translation, though Ériu was linked to fertility in Irish myth.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Ireland

Popularity of Ireland

Ireland peaked at #819 in 1998 with 260 babies given the name, and by 2024 it had dropped to #1851 with just 108.

Names Like Ireland

These names share Ireland’s style, era or origin.

• Brecken
• Calloway
• Conley
• Daley
• Dempsey
• Everen

FAQ

What does the name Ireland mean?

Literally ‘land of Ériu,’ the goddess/personification for whom the island is named. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Ireland?

Ireland is pronounced EYE-er-land (IPA: /ˈaɪərlənd/).

Is Ireland a popular name right now?

Ireland peaked at #819 in 1998 and is ranked #1851 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1914–2024.)

Make Ireland Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Ireland, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.