Cathal is a common given name in Ireland.
The name is derived from two Celtic elements: the first, cath, means "battle"; the second element, val, means "rule".
The Gaelic name has several anglicised forms, such as Cathel,[2] Cahal, Cahill and Kathel.
[3] It has also been anglicised as Charles,[3] although this name is of an entirely different origin as it is derived from a Germanic element, karl, meaning "free man".
[4] As is evident from the list below, the name was in medieval times most popular in Ireland's two western provinces, Munster and Connacht.