Cainnear is a female
Irish given name. Potentially deriving from caoin and der, meaning "gentle daughter",[citation needed] it is the name of one of the legendary daughters of
Queen Medb of Connacht and several
Irish saints.[1] Variants of the name include Canair,[1]Cainder,[2] and Cainner,[3] and at least two early Christian saints have borne these variants.[4]
Bearers of variants of the name
Cainer (or Cainder), a daughter of
Queen Medbh;[5][6] and the wife of Lugaid son of Curoi.[7] Also called Red Cainnear, she was killed with a spear, saving her mother.[8]
Cainnear Caomh, a tragic heroine from the book 'The Story of Caolan.'[9]
Cainnear of Clonsilla (Cainer of Cluain-da-Saileach), the mother of St. Mochua of Clondalkin and six other male saints.[12]
St. Cinnera of Kirkinner, a Scottish virgin, associated with
Kirkinner, who was a recluse and possibly also a martyr.[4][13] Her feast day is 29 October.[3]
St. Cainnere of Cill Chainre (
Kilcandra, County Wicklow).[14]