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Grainne
Fact sheet
- Name
- Grainne
- Gender
- Girl name
- Syllables
- 2
The first name Grainne (Gráinne) has its roots in Irish-Gaelic mythology, where Grainne is revered as an ancient Irish goddess of grain. Translated, the name means 'the grain' or 'the terrible'.
What does the name Grainne mean?
Grainne (Gráinne) is a female first name that originates from Irish-Gaelic mythology. Here, Grainne is regarded as the ancient goddess of grain. The name can be directly translated as 'the grain' or 'the terrible'. Its roots trace back to the Old Irish word grán, which means 'grain', 'cereal', 'wheat grain', and 'seed'. Additionally, there may be a connection to the Old Irish gráin, which means 'hate', 'fear', and 'dread'. An alternative spelling of the name is Grania.
Where does the name Grainne come from?
The name Grainne has Old Irish origins and means 'the grain'.
How do you pronounce Grainne?
The pronunciation of Grainne is unique and has an Irish lilt. Typically, the name is pronounced as 'Gron-ya' [ˈɡrɔnjə]. It begins compactly and unfolds into a softer, flowing second syllable. This special sound combination gives Grainne a distinctive and nuanced sound structure that is both mysterious and imbued with a fine inner tension.
Popularity
In Germany, Grainne is a rather rare name. In 2016, it ranked 4,471st among the most popular female first names. Its best ranking was in 2015, at 4,092nd place. Over the last ten years, Grainne has been used as a first name fewer than 10 times, which earned it the 7,773rd place in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it holds the 9,410th place.
Nicknames & pet names
Granny / Greyn
Famous people
- Grainne Duffy (Irish singer)
- Grainne Murphy (Irish swimmer)
- Graínne Ní Mhaílle (Irish pirate, English name Grace O'Malley)
Frequently asked questions about the name Grainne
What does the name Grainne mean?
Grainne is a female first name with Old Irish origins and means 'the grain' or 'the terrible'. The name is closely associated with Irish-Gaelic mythology, where Grainne is revered as the goddess of grain.
Where does the name Grainne come from?
The name has Old Irish roots and derives from the term grán, which means 'grain', 'cereal', or 'wheat grain'. An alternative meaning could derive from gráin, which means 'hate', 'fear', or 'dread'.
How popular is the name Grainne?
Grainne is a traditional Irish name known in Ireland and among the Irish diaspora. In other countries, the name is less common but is enjoying growing popularity in certain circles.