Órlaith

📖 About Órlaith

Órlaith is the original Irish-language spelling of the name more commonly anglicized as Orla. It derives from the Old Irish 'Órfhlaith,' composed of 'ór' (gold) and 'flaith' (sovereign, princess), meaning 'golden princess' or 'golden sovereign.' The name has deep roots in Irish royal history — two women named Órlaith were closely connected to the legendary High King Brian Boru: his daughter and his niece, both recorded in medieval Irish annals. The name fell into relative obscurity during the centuries of English rule in Ireland but experienced a strong revival in the 20th century as part of the broader Gaelic cultural renaissance. While the anglicized form Orla has become popular across Ireland, the UK, and even Scandinavia, the fada-bearing Órlaith remains the prestige spelling in Irish-speaking (Gaeltacht) communities and among families who wish to honor the name's authentic heritage.