Eilidh

• my daughter Bridget's middle name. It's Scottish Gaelic meaning "light"... I love it's fluidity and unique look.
• This is the Gaelic version of 'Elaine' & 'Helen' and I think it is nicer than the Americanised spelling of 'Ailie' though it probably causes more difficulties in pronounciation across the Atlantic. It's been quite popular in Scotland in the last few years.

There is some disagreement about the origin of this name. Some say it was originally a short form of Eibhilin (often anglicized Eileen in Ireland and Aileen in Scotland), which may in turn be either a form of the Germanic Aveline, or a form of the Greek Helen, or come from the native Gaelic Aoibhlinn meaning 'radiance.'

Or, it may have developed on its own as a form of Helen, influenced by the name Ellie. Whatever its origin, it's now taken to be a Scottish form of Helen.
See Also: Ailie

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