ainm
/ˈanʲəmʲ/masculine
The Irish word for "name" is ainm.
ainm is a noun used to indicate a particular person, place, class or thing. For example, the name Saoirse means "freedom" in Irish.
Meaning: word or phrase indicating a particular person, place, class or thing (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the noun is ainm, and the plural form is ainmneacha. ainm is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈanʲəmʲ/
Did you know?
- When asking someone's name, the phrasing Cad is ainm duit? literally means 'What is name to you?', rather than 'What is your name?'
- The Irish word ainm is a direct descendant of the Proto-Indo-European root *h₁nómn̥, making it a distant linguistic cousin to the English word 'name'.
- In traditional Irish genealogy, a person's 'name' often included a patronymic, using mac for 'son' or ó for 'descendant'.
Examples in context
- Pekka is ainm dó.His name is Pekka.This sentence shows how to state that a name belongs to a third person using ainm.Tatoeba #3468044 by JimiYoru, translation #3418022 by CN
- John is ainm dom.My name is John.This sentence shows how to state that a name belongs to oneself using ainm.Tatoeba #3598632 by JimiYoru, translation #1098122 by cntrational
- Cad is ainm duit?What is your name?This sentence is useful for asking someone else for their name using ainm.Tatoeba #5155036 by kemushi69, translation #70623 by frpzzd
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Cian and Siobhán are meeting for the first time.
- CianDia duit! Cad is ainm duit?Hello! What is your name?
- SiobhánSiobhán is ainm dom. Agus tú?My name is Siobhán. And you?
- CianIs mise Cian. Is ainm go hálainn é.I am Cian. It is a beautiful name.
- SiobhánGo raibh a aisling agat, a Chian.Thank you, Cian.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “name” translations and entries ainm, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ainm, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
