The name Gráinne is of Irish origin and it means "grain". In Irish mythology, Gráinne is the daughter of Cormac Mac Airt, the High King of Ireland. She is famous for her beauty and wisdom, and she plays a significant role in the legendary tale of the Fianna, a band of hunter-warriors led by Finn mac Cumaill.
Gráinne was betrothed to Fiacha, son of the king of Ulster, but she fell in love with Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, one of Finn's finest warriors. Together they fled from Fiacha and embarked on a series of adventures, eventually returning to Ireland where Gráinance became queen consort.
The name Gráinne has been used in Ireland for centuries and it remains popular today. It is often spelled with the accent acute over the first 'a', which emphasizes the pronunciation of that vowel. In English-speaking countries outside of Ireland, the name may be anglicized as Grania or Graney.
The name Grainne has been a consistent but relatively uncommon choice for parents in the United States over the past few decades. Between 1969 and 2007, there were a total of 92 babies named Grainne born in the U.S.
The years with the highest number of births with this name were 2002 and 2004, each with nine occurrences. This indicates that while Grainne may not be one of the most popular names, it has experienced some periods of increased popularity during this time frame.
Interestingly, there was a notable gap in the usage of the name between 1970 and 1989, with no recorded births for this name during those years. However, starting from 1995 onwards, Grainne made a comeback, with at least five births each year until 2007.
Overall, while Grainne may not be a household name in the U.S., it has maintained a steady presence among newborns over these four decades, perhaps favored by parents seeking unique and distinctive names for their children.