ruadh

Ruadh is the Gaelic word for red. In Scottish Gaelic and Irish, ruadh functions as the common adjective for the color red and also appears in expressions describing hair color, clothing, and natural objects. The term is widely attested in Gaelic literature and placenames, and it has given rise to personal and family names in Gaelic-speaking regions, often reflecting a historical attribute such as red hair or a notable reddish feature in the landscape.

Origins and cognates: Ruadh derives from a Proto-Celtic word for red and is cognate with related Celtic terms in other languages. This shared semantic heritage connects Gaelic with other branches of the Celtic language family, such as Welsh and Breton, where similar words denote red.

Usage notes: In modern Gaelic orthography, ruadh is written with standard spelling and inflects according to grammatical context. It forms part of compounds and phrases describing color, clothing, and natural features, and it appears in both everyday speech and literary Scottish Gaelic and Irish.

Geographic and cultural context: The word’s presence in place names and literature across Gaelic-speaking areas reflects historical associations with red coloration in the landscape or with hair coloration. As a core color term, ruadh remains a fundamental element of Gaelic color vocabulary and identity.