Ireland

Ireland is what we’d obviously call a “place name” in reference to the European independent island state which is also one of the so-called Six Celtic Nations (the others being Scotland, the Isle of Man, Brittany, Cornwall and Wales). Ireland received her name from the early Érainn people – essentially evolving from the ancient Celtic Φīwerjū to the Old Irish Ériu to the modern Éire (Erin) – and is said to mean “land of abundance; fertile land” in reference to the island’s lush landscape. In the English language, the country is referred to as Ireland, but in Ireland’s own native Irish-Gaelic tongue it’s called Éire. Ireland is also referred to as The Emerald Isle for its abundance of greenery and The Land of Saints and Scholars. The latter nickname was given to Ireland because while the rest of Europe was falling into the Dark Ages (after the collapse of the Roman Empire), Ireland was experiencing its golden age of scholarship and monastic learning. In fact, if it weren’t for the Irish, the Roman Catholic Church may not have survived the illiterate barbaric societies which overtook Europe post 4th century. Éire has St. Patrick to thank for that, as he tirelessly converted the Celtic Kings to Christianity which ultimately allowed monasteries to flourish. Ireland is also known for its lively and colorful Celtic culture – filled with distinctive music, dance and art. Its history is one of survival with a fighting warrior spirit. Not only in wars among brothers (the ancient tribal kingdoms were always picking fights, raiding and pilfering from one another) – but fighting off invasions instigated by the Vikings, the Normans, and the English. Let’s be clear: Ireland’s history is not always one of shamrocks and leprechauns. They have been brutally mistreated along the way – persecuted for their religious beliefs (ever since the Church of England became Protestant) and the Irish were routinely stripped of their land (which was given to the Normans, Scots and other British royal ass-kissers). It’s no surprise why the Irish are so steadfast proud of being Irish; they even have their own saying: Éirinn go Brách (Ireland forever). In any case, Ireland does not have a long history of usage as a “given name”. It was most likely inspired by the high-profile celebrity couple Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger who named their daughter Ireland Eliesse Baldwin in 1995 (they have since divorced).