Sadb

Sadb is a name that appears in Irish Gaelic tradition, most often encountered in the form Sadhbh or Sadb in older manuscripts. In myth and folklore, Sadb is a female figure who appears in several tales, with varying roles and relationships depending on the source. The name is sometimes treated as a legendary queen or noblewoman and is linked to genealogies that connect legendary lineages or royal dynasties.

Etymology and forms of the name differ across texts. The form Sadb reflects an Old Irish or early Gaelic root, with modern Irish spelling commonly represented as Sadhbh. Anglicized variants include Sadb and Sadbh, and later retellings may render the name as Sadbh or Sadb in English-language sources. The precise meaning of the root is not firmly established, but the name is generally regarded as a traditional feminine given name within Gaelic culture.

In scholarship and retellings, Sadb often functions as a figure within the broader corpus of Irish mythology, where she may appear as a consort to heroes or rulers and as a matriarchal or genealogical link in legendary lineages. Because sources differ and material is transmitted across centuries and languages, details about her character and relationships vary.

Today, Sadb remains primarily of historical and literary interest. It is occasionally used as a given name by those drawing on Gaelic heritage, though it remains relatively uncommon in contemporary use. The name is also studied in the context of Gaelic myth and medieval Irish narrative as part of the tapestry of legendary exemplars and genealogies.

See also: Sadhbh (name), Irish mythology.