Lasairfhíona

'[This name] was one that would stand out all over the world.'

Happily, I came across this ancient Irish name yesterday (13th October 2010) on Name Nerds. Pronounced 'la sar EE na,' it means 'flame of wine' in Gaelic and was borne by a medieval princess of Connacht (western Ireland). It's still in use today in parts of Connacht; Lasairfhíona Ní Chonaola is a sean-nós singer from Inis Oírr, Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland (in the Gaeltacht, that is). In an interview she said, '[My father] gave me this name, meaning "flame wine," because it was one that would stand out all over the world.' Here is her hauntingly beautiful song 'Oileán Na Teiscinne' (2007)...

It's a lotta name, to be sure; 'Sarina' and 'Sarine' are possible short forms, or even 'Lassie,' and 'Lasair' ('flame') belonged to a goddess or heroine in Irish legend (described here). But I like this wild pagan appellation in full with its lush, exotic sound and intriguing meaning (what exactly is meant by 'flaming wine,' anyway? did it factor in to some celebration or ritual? could it be meant as '(the goddess) Lasair's wine?' or 'the burning, stinging sensation of liquor?'). I find Lasairfhíona to be a sultry, romantic name for a little Irish-blooded heathen.

Other forms include:

• Lassar Fhína
• Lasairíona
• Lasarina, Lasrina, Lassarina, Lazarina (anglicizations)