When was Cathal most popular?

The name Cathal reached its peak popularity during the 1990s.

What are the origins of the name Cathal Lau?

The name Cathal Lau combines two different traditions: the first name Cathal has Celtic roots, while the surname Lau originates from Vietnamese.

Cathal Lau — 130K & 30K bearers

Cathal Lau is a name that combines Celtic origins. The first name Cathal is a masculine given name of Celtic origin. From Irish Gaelic Cathal, composed of cath (battle) and val (rule). An ancient Irish name borne by many kings of Connacht. The surname Lau: Amy Lau (1968–2025), American interior designer Andrew Lau (born 1960), Hong Kong director and producer Andy Lau (born 1961), Hong Kong singer and actor Carina Lau (born 1965), Hong Kong-Canadian actress and director Chak Sing Lau, Hong Kong professor of rheumatology Charley Lau (1933–1984), American catcher and hitting coach in Major League Baseball Christel Lau (born 1944), German field hockey player Constance Lau (born 1991), Singaporean actress and model David Lau (born 1966), Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel Emma Lau (born 1991), British actress Evelyn Lau (born 1971), Canadian writer Finn. Cathal is a distinctive first name, carried by approximately 130K people globally, with the highest concentration in Ireland. The name Cathal reached peak popularity in the 1990s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Cathal

Meaning: battle rule

Celtic

From Irish Gaelic Cathal, composed of cath (battle) and val (rule). An ancient Irish name borne by many kings of Connacht.

Surname: Lau

Vietnamese

Amy Lau (1968–2025), American interior designer Andrew Lau (born 1960), Hong Kong director and producer Andy Lau (born 1961), Hong Kong singer and actor Carina Lau (born 1965), Hong Kong-Canadian actress and director Chak Sing Lau, Hong Kong professor of rheumatology Charley Lau (1933–1984), American catcher and hitting coach in Major League Baseball Christel Lau (born 1944), German field hockey player Constance Lau (born 1991), Singaporean actress and model David Lau (born 1966), Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel Emma Lau (born 1991), British actress Evelyn Lau (born 1971), Canadian writer Finn.

Geographic Distribution

The first name Cathal is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

Ireland 83%

United Kingdom 17%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Cathal by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s

1910s

1920s

1930s

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Notable People Named Cathal Lau

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Cathal Lau:

7

Expression Number

Wisdom and introspection. A deep, analytical mind drawn to philosophy, spirituality and the search for truth.

6

Soul Urge Number

Nurturing and responsibility. Associated with care, family values and a strong sense of duty towards loved ones.

1

Personality Number

Leadership and independence. This number suggests a self-reliant, ambitious and pioneering personality that forges its own path.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Cathal?: The first name Cathal originates from Celtic. From Irish Gaelic Cathal, composed of cath (battle) and val (rule). An ancient Irish name borne by many kings of Connacht.
When was Cathal most popular?: The name Cathal reached its peak popularity during the 1990s.
What is the origin of the surname Lau?: The surname Lau originates from Vietnamese. Amy Lau (1968–2025), American interior designer Andrew Lau (born 1960), Hong Kong director and producer Andy Lau (born 1961), Hong Kong singer and actor Carina Lau (born 1965), Hong Kong-Canadian actress and director Chak Sing Lau, Hong Kong professor of rheumatology Charley Lau (1933–1984), American catcher and hitting coach in Major League Baseball Christel Lau (born 1944), German field hockey player Constance Lau (born 1991), Singaporean actress and model David Lau (born 1966), Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel Emma Lau (born 1991), British actress Evelyn Lau (born 1971), Canadian writer Finn.
What are the origins of the name Cathal Lau?: The name Cathal Lau combines two different traditions: the first name Cathal has Celtic roots, while the surname Lau originates from Vietnamese.