See the results of this poll: Keeva?
Respondents: 38 (This poll is closed)
- Like it! : 13 (34%)
- Don’t like it- not my style : 23 (61%)
- Don’t like it- sound, bullying, pop culture concerns (please comment): 2 (5%)
[name]Caoimhe[/name]/[name]Keeva[/name] is a difficult name for me. I think it has a beautiful sound and I like the original spelling. However, your concerns about spelling and pronunciation are definitely valid; an American child named [name]Caoimhe[/name] would probably have quite a bit of trouble with her name. At the same time, I think [name]Keeva[/name] takes away most of the grace and beauty that [name]Caoimhe[/name] has on the page. It looks awkward and invented, and certainly not classic. For that reason, I’d just avoid the name altogether and relegate it to a guilty pleasure list, or assign [name]Caoimhe[/name] to the middle.
I would spell it [name]Kiva[/name] instead of [name]Keeva[/name] if you prefer not to use the Irish [name]Caoimhe[/name] spelling. I think your Spanish neighbors would pronounce it properly because the i’s are pronounced like “ee”.
I like it…just keep in mind that a kiva is a Pueblo [name]Indian[/name] ceremonial structure that is usually round and partly underground
I like it, but prefer [name]Kiva[/name] spelling too.
I thought I would drop a comment to recommend the name [name]Kinza[/name], which was in a children’s novel I read in elementary school called [name]Star[/name] of [name]Light[/name] ([name]Kinza[/name] was a blind baby girl who was going to be sold to beggars until her big brother ran away with her to rescue her–sweet story line). Loved the name from reading the book. This website says it’s just a variation of [name]Kinsey[/name], but it’s actually an Arabic name, though I don’t know its meaning. Another name you might like is [name]Kira[/name], an [name]Indian[/name] name meaning “light,” that also seems to be Greek, Russian, and English, from what I can find.
I agree with @daisy451, the name does lose a lot of it’s beauty with the more phonetic spelling. I wouldn’t spell it [name]Kiva[/name] either. I would say [name]Ky[/name]-va rather than Kee-va instinctively.
Thanks everyone! @daisy451 and hayley88, I agree that the original spelling is much nicer. Around here though, if people see an unfamiliar name, the first instinct is to pronounce it like you would a spanish name. So [name]Caoimhe[/name] would be cah-oh-ee-may, or if you smoosh it cow-ee-may. Somewhat less pretty 
I am in west [name]Texas[/name], and we have a large hispanic population. [name]Just[/name] about everyone around here knows some Spanish (it’s required in high school). I just think [name]Caoimhe[/name] would be way too confusing, for my daughter and everyone around her.
@[name]Mischa[/name] and ummokayyeah - I do like the [name]Kiva[/name] spelling also, but like gblondie said, it is a word name around here. I spend a lot of time in New Mexico, and I’ve actually been down in a kiva in [name]Mesa[/name] [name]Verde[/name] and Bandelier. I just feel like it would be strange for me to use that spelling. Thanks for the suggestion though!
@alzora- [name]Kinza[/name] and [name]Kira[/name] are both interesting. Thank you for the suggestions!
I’m one of those picky purists who says you shouldn’t butcher an ethnic name to make it suitable for you. Seeing [name]Caoimhe[/name] as [name]Keeva[/name] or [name]Kiva[/name] just makes me cringe. I understand your intentions, but I feel like it’d be better left as a middle name if pronunciation will be an issue.
um just putting this out there but it sounds like queefa to me…and NOBODY wants that nick name I am sorry but I just think of hs and how even joking kids could come up with that real quick…
Agreed. 
I just find [name]Kiva[/name] more aesthetically pleasing, anyway. But the sound of [name]Caoimhe[/name]/[name]Kiva[/name]/[name]Keeva[/name] is lovely, any way it’s spelled.
ETA: I just thought about this… I’m not sure how well [name]Keeva[/name]/[name]Kiva[/name]/[name]Caoimhe[/name] fits with your son’s name. [name]Keeva[/name] seems pretty different from [name]Everett[/name] stylistically, but then I said the two names together and I was really tripping over the "V"s. Maybe it’s not a problem for you?
@agirlinred- I generally agree with you about butchering spelling, I just thought this would be the best option. Thank you!
@reeljagkb- I’ve never heard of queefa, but my husband said he has. Maybe it’s a regional thing. Definitely something to consider, thanks!
@[name]Ash[/name]- I agree that they are a bit different in style. We tend to be more traditional with boy names, and more adventurous with girl names 
Personally, I like adventurous boy names too, but hubby usually says no I have a few girl names that I love, but they’ve met with some resistance, so I’m expanding my horizons, or trying to Thanks!
[name]Keeva[/name] is intersting, but it’s just not my style. I think [name]Alyson[/name] Hannigan just named her daughter [name]Keeva[/name], so it’s becoming much more well known. I want to like it, but I don’t. If you love it use it, but keep the [name]Keeva[/name] spelling (as no one in the US would know how [name]Caoimhe[/name] is pronounced!)
- [name]Athena[/name]
Thanks [name]Athena[/name]!
I dont like the spelling, prefer [name]Caoimhe[/name].
~[name]Jasmine[/name]
[name]Love[/name] it spelled [name]Keeva[/name]!
I actually know someone named [name]Keeva[/name] (spelled this way) so it seems totally fine to me… it’s just not my style at all.