Éabha is the Irish Gaelic form of the name Eve, derived from the Hebrew Ḥawwa, meaning 'to breathe' or 'to live'. It is used primarily in Ireland as the indigenous equivalent of Eve or Eva.Etymology and PronunciationThe name traces back through Old Irish Eua, which came from Ancient Greek Eúa, itself a borrowing from Biblical Hebrew ḥawwā. In Modern Irish, Éabha is pronounced differently across dialects: in Munster it is /ˈeːvˠə/, while in Connacht and Ulster it is /ˈeːwə/. The spelling with a slender bh reflects the lenited [v] sound in certain contexts.Biblical and Religious ContextIn the Book of Genesis, Eve is created from Adam's rib as his companion, but she is persuaded by a serpent to eat the forbidden fruit, leading to humanity's expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Despite this negative association, the name has been used among Christians from the Middle Ages onward. In Irish tradition, the term Síol Éabha (literally 'seed of Éabha') refers to the whole human race as Eve's descendants.Notable BearersWhile historical bearers are not extensively documented, Éabha is a recognized name in contemporary Ireland, often chosen to honour Gaelic heritage. A modern notable bearer is Éabha McMahon, an Irish singer known for her work with the group Celtic Woman.Related FormsOther language forms include Eva (Swedish, Latin), Eve (English, Estonian), Hawwa (Dhivehi), Hawa (Swahili), Yeva (Ukrainian), and Həvva (Azerbaijani). The masculine counterpart is Ádhamh (Irish for Adam).Meaning: 'to breathe' or 'to live'Origin: Hebrew through IrishType: First nameUsage: Irish-speaking regions and diaspora