Midhir is a modern Irish form of Midir. The name Midir derives from Old Irish midithir, meaning "judge." In Irish mythology, Midhir is a son of the Dagda, the powerful god of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Midhir appears as one of the wooers of Étaín in the 9th-century tale Tochmarc Étaíne, where his love for her leads to a series of tragic and magical events. The root Dagda means "the good god" from Old Irish dag- "good" and día "god." He was a central figure in Irish myth, associated with earth, knowledge, magic, abundance, and treaties. He wielded a massive club whose handle could revive the dead. Etymology and Mythology Midir appears in medieval Irish texts such as the Acallam na Senórach and the Ulster Cycle. His name is traditionally understood to mean "judge," reflecting a role in divine justice or arbitration. In the story Tochmarc Étaíne (The Wooing of Étaín), Midhir falls in love with Étaín, a beautiful mortal woman. He wins her love, but his jealous first wife, Fuamnach, uses magic to turn Étaín into a butterfly and later a human repeatedly cursed by loss of memory. The tale explores themes of love, envy, and rivalry among the Tuatha Dé Danann. Other Associations The name Midhir was also used for a fantasy play-by-mail role-playing game in the 1990s, published by Timewyrm and WORG PBM in the United Kingdom. The game featured kingdom management with elements of combat, politics, diplomacy, and religion. It received strong reviews in gaming magazines of that era, though this usage is separate from the mythological figure. While Midhir is rare as a given name today, it holds significance for those interested in Irish mythology and early medieval literature. Meaning: Judge (from Old Irish midithir) Origin: Irish, derived from Midir Type: Mythological name Usage Regions: Ireland, Irish diaspora