Aodh

Aodh is a masculine given name in the Irish language, the native Gaelic form of Hugh. It derives from the Old Irish name Áed or Aedh, which is associated with the word for fire, and has long been part of Gaelic naming traditions. The form Aodh is the standard modern spelling in Irish; in older sources the name often appears as Áed or Aed. English-language texts occasionally render it as Hugh, but in Irish contexts the form Aodh remains common. The name has several diminutive and related forms, including Aodhán, which is often Anglicized as Aidan or Aden, and Aodhagáin.

In Gaelic usage, Aodh has been borne by many rulers and saints, particularly in medieval Ireland, and the name appears frequently in Irish annals and genealogies under variants such as Áed or Aodh. Notable bearers include Áed Findliath, a 9th-century king of the Northern Uí Néill, illustrating the historical prominence of the name across Gaelic-speaking regions. The spelling and pronunciation vary by dialect and period, with Áed and Aed appearing in older texts and Aodh used in modern Irish.

Today, Aodh remains an established Irish given name, though it is less common than in earlier eras. It continues to appear in literature and among speakers of the Irish language, often in forms such as Aodhán for the diminutive or in Anglicized contexts as Hugh. See also Áed and Aodhán for related names.