Fódhla

Fódhla is the modern Irish spelling of Fódla or Fótla, a figure from Irish mythology. She is one of the three goddesses of Ireland, the other two being her sisters Banba and Ériu. First appearing in the Irish stats in 2018, a recent year saw it feature in the Top 200.

Legend goes that when the Spanish settlers known as the Milesians arrived in Ireland, Fódhla and her sisters all asked the bard, Amergin, for the country to be named for them. Ériu was chosen as the honored sister and the country named Éire, but the bard was keen for all the sisters to have their wish granted. As such, Ireland may be poetically known as Fódhla (or Banba), making this an alternative choice to Erin for those who want to celebrate the place.

Pronounced as FO-luh (Fo to rhyme with tow or foe), the name likely derives from the element fót meaning "sod, land", in turn reflecting her role as goddess of the land. The alternative spellings Fodhla or Fóla might occasionally be used too.

Pronounced FO-luh.