Find out how popular the first name Eilidh has been for the last 25 years (from 1999 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Eilidh by gender

Based on the last 25 years of data, Eilidh is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 17 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Eilidh.

The history of the first name Eilidh

The name Eilidh is of Scottish Gaelic origin, derived from the Old Irish name Aílídh or Eilíd. It is believed to have roots in the Gaelic elements "ail" meaning "beauty" and "idh" meaning "girl." The earliest recorded use of the name dates back to the 16th century.

Eilidh is a diminutive form of the name Helen, which itself is derived from the Greek name Helene, meaning "bright one" or "shining light." The name Eilidh was particularly popular in the Scottish Highlands and Islands, where it was a well-established name among Gaelic-speaking communities.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Eilidh can be found in the 16th-century Gaelic poetry of Iain Lom, a renowned Scottish bard. In his poem "Oran do Righ Seumas," he referred to a woman named Eilidh, suggesting the name's usage during that period.

Throughout history, several notable women have borne the name Eilidh. One of the most famous was Eilidh Nic Leòid (c. 1600-1660), a renowned poetess from the Isle of Skye, renowned for her skill in Gaelic verse and her influential role in promoting Gaelic culture and literature.

Another notable Eilidh was Eilidh MacKenzie (1788-1872), a Scottish folklorist and collector of Gaelic tales and traditions from the Highlands. Her work contributed significantly to preserving the rich oral heritage of the region.

In the 20th century, Eilidh Whiteford (born 1956) was a Scottish politician and member of the Scottish National Party, serving as a Member of Parliament for Banff and Buchan from 2010 to 2017.

Eilidh MacLeod (born 1962) is a contemporary Scottish singer and harpist, renowned for her contributions to the revival of traditional Gaelic music and culture.

Eilidh Mackenzie (born 1988) is a Scottish curler who has represented Great Britain in multiple Winter Olympics, winning a bronze medal in the women's curling event at the 2014 Sochi Games.

The name Eilidh continues to be popular in Scotland, particularly in the Highlands and Islands, where it remains a cherished part of the region's cultural heritage and linguistic traditions.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Eilidh was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Eilidh, please contact us.

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