Eire
/ˈeə.rʲə/noun
The Irish name for Ireland.
Did you know?Éire is traditionally linked to Ériu, a goddess of sovereignty in Irish mythology, showing how a nation’s name can preserve a deity’s memory.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Celtic
PCelt
*Φīwerjon-
“Land of abundance; fertile land”
Old Irish
OIr
Ériu
“The mythic name of Ireland and a goddess associated with sovereignty”
Middle Irish
MIr
Éire
“Ireland”
Modern Irish
Gaelic
Éire
“Ireland”
Modern English
English
Eire
“The Irish-language name for Ireland”