How Do You Spell Claddagh Ring? Common Misspellings Explained

If you've been searching for a claddagh ring but spell check keeps giving you that dreaded red underline, you are in very good company. "Claddagh" is one of the most commonly misspelled words in Irish jewelry — and for good reason. The spelling follows Irish Gaelic rules, not English phonetics, which leaves most people guessing. Here's everything you need to know: the correct spelling, how to say it, and why so many creative variations exist.

The Correct Spelling

The correct and only spelling is: Claddagh ring

Two d's, g, and that silent (but important) ending that trips everyone up. Keep reading to find out why it looks that way.

How Do You Pronounce Claddagh?

Claddagh is pronounced KLAD-uh — rhymes with "ladder" without the "r." The "gh" at the end is silent for most English speakers, though in the original Irish it produces a soft guttural sound that doesn't have a direct equivalent in the English alphabet. That's exactly why the spelling looks so different from how it sounds.

A quick guide:

Cla — like "clap" without the p
dd — just a standard "d" sound
agh — pronounced "uh," the "gh" is silent

Common Misspellings of Claddagh Ring

Here are the most common ways people misspell claddagh ring when searching online. If any of these look familiar, you've landed in the right place!

Letters Left Out

The most frequent mistakes come from dropping letters, especially one of the double letters or the silent "gh" ending:

cladagh ring — missing one "d"
claddah ring — missing the "g"
cladah ring — missing both a "d" and the "g"
claddag ring — almost there, just missing the final "h"
claddag ring — one "d" and no "h"

Extra Letters Added

Others go the opposite direction and add letters, often trying to reflect the sound phonetically:

clauddagh ring — extra "u" inserted
cladaugh ring — letters rearranged and added
claddaugh ring — nearly right but with an extra "u"
claddagh ring — this one IS correct!

Creative Variations

And then there are the truly inventive searches — Google has seen them all:

clatter ring
cladder ring
clauda ring
claudia ring
clarda ring
claddagh band — technically correct, often used for wedding bands

However you spelled it to find us, welcome — you found the right place.

Why Is Claddagh Spelled That Way?

The word "Claddagh" comes from the Irish phrase An Cladach, which means "flat stony shore." It was the name of a small fishing village just outside the walls of Galway City on the west coast of Ireland, where the iconic ring design originated over 300 years ago.

When the name was anglicized, the spelling was adapted to help English speakers approximate the Irish sound. The "gh" ending was added to signal the soft guttural sound — a sound common in Irish and Scottish Gaelic that doesn't exist as a single character in the English alphabet. Think of it like the "ch" in the Scottish word "loch." Over time, Claddagh became the standardized English spelling of the word.

So the spelling is unusual not because someone made a mistake — it's because Irish Gaelic and English play by very different rules.

The Meaning Behind the Ring

Whether you spell it cladagh, claddah, or any other variation, the meaning of the claddagh ring remains the same. The design features three elements, each with its own symbolism:

The Heart — represents Love
The Hands — represent Friendship
The Crown — represents Loyalty

Together these three symbols make the claddagh ring one of the most meaningful pieces of jewelry in Irish tradition — a ring that can express love for another person, for your Irish heritage, or simply for the timeless values it represents.

Learn more about the full meaning of the claddagh ring →

How to Wear a Claddagh Ring

The way you wear a claddagh ring carries meaning. Here's a quick guide:

Right hand, heart pointing out (toward your fingertips) — you are single and open to love
Right hand, heart pointing in (toward your wrist) — you are in a relationship
Left hand, heart pointing out — you are engaged
Left hand, heart pointing in — you are married

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell claddagh ring?

The correct spelling is claddagh ring — C-L-A-D-D-A-G-H. Two d's and the "gh" ending, which is silent in English pronunciation.

How do you pronounce claddagh?

Claddagh is pronounced KLAD-uh. The "gh" at the end is silent. It rhymes loosely with "ladder."

What does claddagh mean?

Claddagh comes from the Irish An Cladach, meaning "flat stony shore." It was the name of a fishing village near Galway, Ireland, where the ring originated more than 300 years ago.

Is it cladagh ring or claddagh ring?

The correct spelling is claddagh with two d's and a "gh" ending. "Cladagh" with one "d" is a very common misspelling but not the correct form.

What is a claddagh ring used for?

Claddagh rings are used as friendship rings, promise rings, engagement rings, and wedding rings. They are also worn as a symbol of Irish heritage and pride. The three elements of the design — heart, hands, and crown — represent love, friendship, and loyalty.

Where can I buy a real claddagh ring?

We specialize exclusively in authentic claddagh rings and Celtic jewelry. Browse our full collection below to find the perfect ring in gold, silver, platinum, or titanium.

Now that you know how to spell it — find your perfect ring:

Shop Claddagh Rings →