She may be a goddess in her own right,[1] or an alternate name for
Danu. In the Lebor Gabála Érenn, Anand is given as another name for
The Morrígan.[2] As her name is often conflated with a number of other goddesses, it is not always clear which figure is being referred to if the name is taken out of context.[1] The name may be derived from the
Proto-Celtictheonym *Φanon-.[3][4]
While an Irish goddess, in parts of Britain a similar figure is referred to as “Gentle Annie”, in an effort to avoid offence, a tactic which is similar to referring to the
fairies as “The Good People”.[6]
References
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abMacKillop, James (1998). Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. pp. 10, 16, 128.
ISBN0-19-280120-1.
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abMacalister, R.A. Stewart (1941). Lebor Gabála Érenn [Book of Invasions of Ireland] (First Redaction ed.). Dublin, IE: Irish Texts Society. Part IV, § VII.