Dhiarmaid

Dhiarmaid is a given name of Gaelic origin, primarily found in Irish contexts. It is a form of the older Irish name Diarmaid (also written Diarmait or Diarmaide) and is the lenited variant used in modern Irish orthography. The name is typically considered a Gaelic cognate of the English Dermot or Dermott, though spelling and usage vary by era and region.

In Irish myth and literature, the form appears as Diarmaid in various guises. The most famous bearer is Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, a warrior of the Fianna who features prominently in the tale of Diarmuid and Gráinne, a story of love, loyalty, and pursuit across Ireland. He is portrayed as a trusted companion of Fionn mac Cumhaill and as a tragic figure whose romance with Gráinne complicates the Fianna’s code of honor.

In medieval history, the name appears as Diarmait (or Diarmait mac Murchadha), notably Dermot MacMurrough, King of Leinster in the 12th century, whose invitation to the Normans helped bring about significant changes in Ireland and the subsequent Norman invasion.

In modern usage, Dhiarmaid is largely confined to Irish-language contexts. The spelling differs from the more common anglicized forms Dermot, Dermott, or Dermot, which are widely used in English-language contexts. The name remains part of the broader family of Gaelic names rendered in various forms across Irish literature, history, and contemporary practice.