Eochaid (also written Eochaidh; earlier Eochu or Eocho, sometimes anglicised as Eochy, Achaius, or Haughey) is an Old Irish masculine given name derived from the noun ech meaning "horse", and thus signifies "horseman". The name belongs to a broad family of cognate names across the Celtic languages, including Old Welsh Eppa and Gaulish Epos, all rooted in the Proto-Indo-European word for horse. In Irish tradition, the horse was a symbol of nobility, speed, and warrior status, making horse-related names particularly popular among kings and heroes. Historical and Legendary Bearers The name Eochaid was borne by a multitude of figures in Irish mythology and early medieval history. At the mythological level, Eochaid mac Eirc was a king of the Fir Bolg, the legendary early inhabitants of Ireland, said to have ruled in the 16th or 20th century BC. Eochaid Ollathair, better known as The Dagda, was a chief god of the Tuatha Dé Danann and a mythical High King. Legendary High Kings bearing the name include Eochaid Faebar Glas (13th/15th century BC), Eochaid Étgudach, Eochaid Mumho, Eochaid Apthach, and Eochaid Uaircheas, all recorded in medieval pseudohistorical compilations such as the Lebor Gabála Érenn. In the early historical period, at least one Irish king named Eochaid is attested – Eochaid mac Muiredaig – but the traditional king-lists also record several other Eochaids whose historicity is uncertain. Outside Ireland, the name was used in Scottish Gaelic as Eochaidh, anglicized as Achaius or Haughey; a notable bearer is the Scottish clan Mac Eochaida.The name's enduring popularity is evident in its many variants (Eochaidh, Eochu, Eocho) and Anglicizations, which include the surname Haughey and the given name Eochy. Despite the weighty historical and legendary associations, the name has rarely been used in modern English-speaking contexts but remains in circulation in Ireland, especially in its diminutive Paitleig or pet forms. Cultural Significance The name Eochaid embodies the ancient Celtic reverence for the horse, a creature integral to warfare, transportation, and status. In Irish myth, horses are frequently associated with sovereignty, and the frequent appearance of the name among legendary kings underscores the connection between horsemanship, leadership, and divine right. The prolific use of Eochaid in genealogies and king-lists indicates that the name was cherished and feared, linked to both supernatural potency and actual military power. Meaning: "Horseman" (from Old Irish ech 'horse') Origin: Old Irish Type: Given name, also borne by legendary and historical kings Usage regions: Ireland, with historical use in Scotland Cognates: Eochaidh, Eochu, Eocho; Anglicized forms Eochy, Achaius, Haughey