Diarmuid

Diarmuid is a masculine given name of Irish origin. Variants include Diarmait, Dermot, and Dermott, with the Irish spellings Diarmaid or Diarmuid. The etymology is uncertain, but the name is generally linked to Old Irish forms such as Diarmait, with proposed meanings including “without envy” or “free from envy,” though interpretations vary.

In Irish mythology, Diarmuid Ua Duibhne is a central figure in the Fenian Cycle. He is a legendary warrior of the Fianna, renowned for beauty as well as martial skill. One of the best-known stories centers on his romance with Gráinne, the betrothed of Fionn mac Cumhaill, and their elopement, which leads to a pursuit by Fionn and the Fianna. The tale exists in multiple versions and has had a lasting influence on Irish literature and storytelling.

In modern usage, Diarmuid remains a common given name in Ireland and among Irish communities abroad. Notable people with the name include Diarmuid Martin, an Irish cardinal and former Archbishop of Dublin, and Diarmuid Connolly, an Irish Gaelic footballer. The name is also encountered in contemporary fiction and media as a marker of Irish heritage.

See also: Dermot (given name) and Diarmait.