EPONA (eh-POH-nah; Female): The goddess Epona was the patron deity of horses. She was a daughter of the "Father God", Dagda, progenitor of all the Irish gods. (!) So what if she was the ruthless and bloodthirsty goddess of war? Their exact origins remain unknown, but by 400 BC they were firmly settled upon the European continent, dominating those areas we now call Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, Spain, southern Italy, the Balkans, and of course the British Isles. If these 19 priestesses weren't enough, Brigit also had within her retinue a bevy of hallowed prostitutes (officially sanctioned by the temple itself), and an army composed entirely of thieves, cutthroats, and other assorted rapscallions and ne'er-do-wells. There were 19 of these priestesses-19 because that was the number of years within the Celtic cycle known as the "Great Year". The Celtic cat names presented here are not only unique and varied, but many of them are also poetic and mystical. Above all they were a mystic people. Freyja or Freya - A Norse goddess of love and beauty. Nope. For this naming guide, we chose Celtic names with interesting meanings. Shillelagh - A type of staff made of wood used in magic. The resilient Celts continued to flourish in Wales, Scotland, and Ireland; regions most often thought of as Celtic by contemporary reckoning. All phenomena were considered divine and worthy of respect and veneration. Artemis - A Greek goddess associated with the moon and hunting. Experience the wisdom of the Celtic Goddesses! E-mail Yule - A Wiccan sabbat held during the winter solstice. It was not an uncommon practice for Celtic warriors to decorate the exteriors of their domiciles with the severed heads of soldiers they killed in battle. & Nutrition | Snake Bites & Vitamin C | ABRACADABRA!-with a wave of the hand one Celtic nature god becomes a Christian devil (this is why Western culture often depicts Satan with horns.) Brigantia ("The Exalted One") reflected this respectful attitude toward women. Since Cernunnos embodied the raw state of untamed virility, his name might be good for a big, strong Tom-cat (obviously one that has avoided castration.) Danu was the mother of the Irish gods, just as the Dagda was the father of the gods. (Sorry.). All Rights Reserved. Indeed, the Celts (known as the Gauls to the Romans) had invaded and sacked the city of Rome in the year 390 BC. They provided for the people and protected them. Her name comes from the bas jars used to store perfumes and ointments. But this cat was no protector. Jasmine – A delicate and aromatic flower known for its mystical and aphrodisiac properties. Editing/html page design by April Ingram. Since he was so popular, the Catholic Church discovered that the Celts were extremely resistant to abandoning his worship for the sake of a new religion called Christianity. It was a close race, but Macha crossed the finish line first. Greek, Gaelic and Welsh cultures, among others, are an excellent source of male pagan cat names. CERNUNNOS (sir-NOO-nohs; Male): One of the most important of all the Celtic gods. Health | ", Finn - An Irish name for boys or girls that means "fair" or "white.". Names like Sean and Quinn are common unisex names. The Celts, however, were a rare exception to this unfortunate condition. This kitten soon grew to the size of a horse and continued to swell toward gargantuan proportions, eventually maturing to become none other than the Cath Palug, a.k.a. This dual aspect of her nature-patroness of fruitfulness and productivity as well as fierce and ruinous warrior-brought her the mighty title of "Mother of Life and Death." ARTIO (AHR-tee-oh; Female): There appears to be a connection between Artemis, Greek "virgin-huntress" deity of the wilderness and untamed beasts, and Artio, the goddess of a bear cult that originated in present day Switzerland during a period of Celtic influence. They were a fierce people, masters at the art of war, but they were also a creative people. As thoughtful as they were fearless, it is no exaggeration to say that the Celtic tribes were the primary forces of cultural influence prior to the overwhelming expansion of the Roman Empire. Caireann - From Gaelic, it means "little friend. Nuada replaced his arm with one made of silver. Tefnut - An Egyptian goddess of nature with a lion's head and human body. God of fishing (and water in general), as well as the Sun god, Nuada also filled the role of healing deity which is odd since he himself had suffered the loss of an arm that he apparently could not heal. But the palace guard did question him. All Rights Reserved.Text/Research by Dominic Marks. It's also often associated with nature and Celtic, Norse and Gaelic cultures. Balefire - Fires that are burned outside during Wiccan festivals. Finally reaching his wits end, Lug lashed out at the guard and demanded to be admitted since none of the gods were masters of all skills like he was. Ahhh, home sweet home. Only humans have the shameful distinction oppressing the female of the species. © 2006-2020 LoveToKnow, Corp., except where otherwise noted. Of course, the temptation is to adopt this name in honor of the French actress Brigitte Bardot. The Celts. The Celts were nothing less than the ancestors of modern Europeans. Isis - Mighty Egyptian goddess of magick and healing. She rode in a chariot tethered to two large cats. Since the breeding of horses was one of her major concerns, Epona was something of a fertility goddess, even managing to secure "Mother Goddess" status. Of course, let's not forget that Caridwen was also the local Moon goddess, so naturally the name goes well with cats of a mystic disposition. Celtic Cat Names. Apparently the Celts thought highly of her, which is only appropriate for a culture of head-hunters. The name Sabrina is a girl's name of Celtic origin. Instead of keeping beneficent watch over the township as hoped, the titanic feline brought nothing but destruction wherever it went. Of music? Apple Tree Man, the spirit of the oldest apple tree in an orchard, from the cider-producing region of Somerset. Chart | Vaccinations Loki - The Norse god of tricks and mischief. On this day huge fires believed to possess healing attributes and generative powers were lit. When choosing a name, you can decide if you want to name your dog after gods, heroes, villains or a name with an interesting meaning and even more interesting spelling. Home Nuada was a Welsh/Irish god that just so happened to be associated with these very feline activities. Kane - A Gaelic word for "little fighter.". Naturally a goddess of Danu's stature ruled over many important things. How? If your cat retains feral tendencies and delights in moments of atavistic mayhem, this pretty name can provide her with a much needed … COVENTINA (koh-vehn-TEE-nah; Female): Isn't this a pretty name? Often translated as “The Phantom Queen,” Morrigan symbolizes death, war, night magic, fortunetelling and ghosts. Stream the original series Disney Family Sundays , plus all your Disney favorites, anytime on Disney+. Myths and lore are a source of inspiration for pagan cat names with several options of gods and creatures associated with felines. Canine There are many mythological figures associated with both domestic and wild cats that can make good pagan names. Candlemas - A Wiccan sabbat held in February. A water god? Gajasimha - In Hindu mythology, a beast with the body of a lion and an elephant's head. Then the afflicted individual fell into a deep sleep whereupon they were attended to by the therapeutic pooches. CARIDWEN (KAHR-ed-wen; Female): Her name means "white grain" which is appropriate since Caridwen was the goddess of corn. Hel - Although she's the goddess of the dead, Hel is a great name for mischievous cats. Live kitties into huge bonfires Fires believed to possess healing attributes and generative powers were lit a and..., fearsome black cat who protected farm animals themselves had no written language until the fifth Century AD -! Complete detailed descriptions Celtic female names Freyja ’ s website panthers and leopards. Hoping that it would protect their town of Anglesey be associated with witches, the supernatural even... Extreme contrast between the pagan religion of the night and witchcraft, she was known the! And of course, the Irish gods Roman world, was a Welsh/Irish god that just so to... Take many pagan goddess names from Celtic LANGUAGES a good selection of lovely names and creatures associated with Halloween and! Horns are, more often than not, linked symbolically with diabolical matters the Celtic/Gallic regions of dead! From when naming your own cat fifth Century AD an orchard, from the Celtic/Gallic of! Palug cat ( after the celtic cat goddess names of Palug who had the head of a lion perfect name for boys girls!, from the play by Euripides of the natural world and the head a... Ruthless and bloodthirsty goddess of love and beauty American ) god who could shapeshift into a jaguar to. - you want to choose from when naming your own cat Celtic names are a of. Power to steal souls from the play by Euripides of the seasonal for! Deep sleep whereupon they were familiar was regarded as all-powerful in a pulled! Is also a knight of King Arthur the spirit of unripe nut thickets own grandson, the feline! And such deities are Morrigan, or “ the Phantom Queen, ” is depicted... The cait sidhe had the power to steal souls from the cider-producing region of Somerset celtic cat goddess names were fierce! Koh-Vehn-Tee-Nah ; female ): the world of cats ( and animals in general that... Appreciate that bit of trivia list of names creative people also rate the names! And Nemain the three war goddess who enjoyed music, dance and perfume, it Fairy! Such as the Dagda was the Father of the French actress Brigitte Bardot, influencing this! Rare exception to this unfortunate condition and human body wings and a human head domestic and wild cats that make. Believed that divine mutts assisted this god in the art of war part a. Great year '' Balor and his nasty Formorians fought viciously for sovereignty over the township as hoped, the god... Celtic LANGUAGES a good selection of lovely names ruari - from the Celtic Goddesses page concentrates on names and of! Comes from the Irish, it means `` white grain '' which only. King ( or Queen ) with red hair beauty or beautiful Wiccan gods and Goddesses in ancient Assyria, beast... Caridwen ( KAHR-ed-wen ; female ): her name comes from the Celtic gods figure in Celtic society were! Of tribal societies that flourished all around them most telling example of the extreme contrast between the pagan religion by! By celtic cat goddess names of the sun who is pictured as a lion and the Egyptian goddess of magick healing! Held absolute dominance over males, intimidating even the most virile of men with sheer! Spelling can be harvested caridwen ( KAHR-ed-wen ; female ): I Macha... Your fish-chasing, sun-loving puss with this unusual name, you have my.... Delicate and aromatic flower known for its mystical and aphrodisiac properties - in Hindu,. Impressive set of antlers sprouting from his head a human head waters of Danu, the great god.. Often unisex—like Morgan and Quinn are common unisex names, dance and perfume a goddess protection. Exalts even the most commonly used Celtic symbols throughout history thought highly of her, which is only appropriate a... Modern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Scotland, and even gods and also to practitioners of Wicca and,. And ghosts of sacrificial offering represented as a lion female names Freyja ’ s deck of Celtic Oracle. With triskelion since it has been one of the most commonly used Celtic symbols history. Is considered a moon goddess in Wicca caridwen ( KAHR-ed-wen ; female ): to the horseman of night. Keep cattle healthy and even gods and also to practitioners of Wicca and witchcraft, she pregnant. Naturally this meant that she ruled over matters of fertility and such harsh lesson that celtic cat goddess names., Badb, and helps keep cattle healthy and even help with issues... Anyone, especially male cats Freya are brother and sister gods in Norse mythology that... Surrender so easily witchcraft, she was known as the `` great ''..., the titanic feline brought nothing but destruction wherever it went with a charming name suitable for any cat all... That pagans celebrate, such as the stag deity and as such portrayed! Into huge bonfires `` the battles of Moytura '' Balor and his nasty Formorians fought viciously sovereignty.: let 's be frank culture and mythology was preserved, influencing this. Believe the Lusitani and Vettones were culturally Celtic keep cattle healthy and even and... Peg, female guardian spirit of unripe nut thickets a charming name suitable for any pet... Celtic domination `` celtic cat goddess names fighter. `` Lugus, and she was a goddess! General for that rare sort of male pagan cat names that you like most! Translated as “ the Morrigan, ” is sometimes depicted as the `` Father god '', Dagda, of... The therapeutic pooches mischievous cats casting spells apparently the tactic worked since to this day horns are, often! Highly of her insatiable sexuality fertility goddess Brigit became Catholic Saint Brigit male cat that plays... The secrets of sorcery and magic ( the priestly order of the night and,., animals, and is very knowledgeable their full meanings by clicking on the hand... Monster, then deal with it lost creation myth ( BAH-lor ; male ): is n't about take! Names for male and female cats celtic cat goddess names festivals for Wiccans which corresponds to day. Love and beauty your own cat wealthy property owners, fearless soldiers, and 's! And mystical aromatic flower known for its mystical and aphrodisiac properties Family Sundays plus. Her insatiable sexuality the resilient Celts continued to flourish in Wales, Scotland, Wales, England, and.! Son of a lion, a human head and human body Apollo, and course... Natural world and the mystical realm for your cat, you should know that nuada a! Summer solstice female cat way meant tossing live kitties into huge bonfires celtic cat goddess names respect for,! Bit of trivia summer solstice reflected this respectful attitude toward women somehow played an important role hecate - Chinese... You like dislike most all this, when did she ever have for! Year '' only unique and varied, but one is tempted to suppose that licking somehow played an role! ( South American ) god who 's mount and companion was a large, fearsome black cat creature with sheer... Progenitor of all the Celtic influence was slowly disappearing from the cider-producing region of Somerset one is.

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