Labhraidh

Labhraidh is a masculine given name found in Old and Middle Irish sources. It is derived from the archaic Irish labhradh, meaning speech, eloquence, or talk. The name reflects the high cultural importance placed on eloquence, poetry, and rhetoric in early Irish society.

In medieval Irish literature, Labhraidh appears as a personal name for several legendary and historical figures, including rulers and poets. The form is attested in various manuscripts with several orthographic variants, such as Labhraidh, Labhradh, and Labraid, depending on the dialect and text. Because of its meaning, the name is commonly associated with leadership and mastery of speech within Irish genealogies and sagas.

Etymologically, Labhraidh is linked to the broader Gaelic word family connected to speaking and storytelling. The name has several historical and literary attestations but is largely considered archaic in modern Irish usage. In contemporary contexts, Labhraidh is not a common given name, though it may appear in scholarly discussions, historical novels, or reconstructed or revived Gaelic naming practices. Variants and Anglicizations, such as Labraid, are sometimes encountered in translations of Irish literature and in discussions of Gaelic onomastics.