Ailill
Ailill Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
/ˈa.lʲɪlʲ/
Meaning of Ailill: Ailill is an ancient Irish masculine given name derived from Old Irish, where it is understood to mean “elf” or “sprite” — a supernatural being of the fairy realm in pre-Christian Irish belief.
The name belongs to a category of early Irish names connected to the otherworld, reflecting the deep integration of supernatural beings into Irish mythological naming tradition. Ailill is among the oldest attested Irish personal names, appearing frequently in medieval Irish manuscripts.
The most prominent bearer of the name is Ailill mac Máta, the king of Connacht and husband of Queen Medb (Máb) in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology.
What Does Ailill Mean? Origin & Etymology
Ailill and Medb are the central antagonists of Táin Bó Cúailnge (The Cattle Raid of Cooley), the great Irish epic in which their rivalry with Cúichulainn of Ulster drives the central narrative.
Ailill mac Máta appears as a proud, complex figure whose boast about his possessions ignites the conflict of the Táin. The name is also borne by several other mythological and historical Irish kings and saints.
Ailill is used in Ireland primarily in literary, historical, and scholarly contexts. It is rarely given as a personal name in modern Ireland, though it occasionally appears among families with a strong interest in Irish mythology and Old Irish heritage.
The name appears in Irish-language education and Gaelic revival contexts. Its deep roots in the Ulster Cycle and Irish mythological tradition give it a strongly archaic, distinctly Irish character that distinguishes it from the more common names of the Irish revival period.
Further reading: etymology records and US popularity records from SSA.
Numerology & Symbolism of Ailill
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Ailill – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Ailill
What does Ailill mean?
Ailill is Old Irish; Means "elf" in Irish..
How popular is Ailill?
Ailill is rarely used in the United States but maintains its standing in Old Irish, Irish Mythology. SSA records show no significant US ranking for this name.
How do you pronounce Ailill?
Ailill is pronounced /ˈa.lʲɪlʲ/. The name originates in Old Irish, Irish Mythology tradition.
What are variants of Ailill?
Ailill has no widely established international variants and remains primarily used within Old Irish, Irish Mythology tradition.