Aug 06 2009
Girl Baby Names: Popular Celtic Pagan Goddess-Derived Namesakes
Expectant parents wishing to choose something different, ethnic, or spiritual in nature may want to consider naming their daughter after a goddess or other such entity. Many common names, such as Bridget, have ancient and pagan origins. A girl can have such a name without being made fun of, as others perceive it as “normal,” yet it still conveys its own ancient meaning and power.
As I have discussed before in this blog, I do believe in the paranormal, but consider myself a bit more skeptic about matters of the otherworld, magic, and other related topics. Sometimes when I think about my own birth and name (Tara), I realize that my mother selected the perfect name to describe me, including my spiritual beliefs and my American Irish heritage. Sure, it could be coincidence, but this Pisces feels as though it was meant to be.
Here is a short list to get you started on your baby-naming adventure. (This list may also prove useful to writers looking to find a female name with meaning.)
Bridget: Daughter of the Dagda, this name is derived from the ancient Brighid. Two saints are honored by this name, which is also associated with poetry and fire. This name is popular amongst those with Irish heritage.
Tara: This name holds importance in both Ireland and in the East. In Ireland, Tara is the burial place of Irish kings. It is the center of Ireland and represents balance, talking through conflict, power, and the feminine representation of Ireland. In Buddhism, Tara is a peaceful face of the Goddess represented in white, representing hard work and achievement.
Cerridwen: Represented by a birch, this name is of Welsh origin and is associated with the color white.
Morgan: Most often associated with Morgan le Fay of Arthurian legends (the perception of Morgan now altering due to The Mists of Avalon), this name is often given to babies with darker hair and is associated with The Morrigan, or death-bringer.
Further Resources:


Tara is also one of my favorite names. Interesting post.
Yay! That’s my name, and I love it!