See the results of this poll: Which name do you prefer?
Respondents: 48 (This poll is closed)
- Anna Iris Caoimhe : 33 (69%)
- Katharine Marilla Niamh (nn Katy): 15 (31%)
[name_f]Anna[/name_f] [name_f]Iris[/name_f] [name_f]Caoimhe[/name_f] is beautiful!
I voted without looking at the meaning, they both mean a lot so were on even ground.
I voted for [name_f]Anna[/name_f] [name_f]Iris[/name_f] [name_f]Caoimhe[/name_f] as I do like it, but I also think the second one is a mouthful.
I voted for the second optoin, [name_f]Katharine Marilla Niamh-Katy[/name_f], because the flow was beautiful, it looks appealing on paper, and lastly the meanings line up the best. 
On the last name combo, all the meanings reflect light in its brightest form. Light generally is reflected in the bible as Pure and God is the way, the truth and the light. As for the word and meaning of pure it does have a coinciding factor with the purpose of sea. The sea is untamed by man, but operates in its most purest form at the behest of God. As you mentioned above, that your family were deep sea fisherman, which lends to the fact that they used the sea in his purest form to aid there career or adventures as most sailor men do. I’m sure they respected the sea in its grandeur and the splendors that it offered up. The sea is both exciting, unpredictable, mesmerizing, and mysteries in a beautiful yet serene and evocative and elusive way. Your name reflects that character of the sea in its natural form of operation but also the name reflects a little bit about her ancestors and who they were. The name gives a glimpse into what her ancestors character and interest may have been like in regards to the way they chose to live out their lives. It gives her a hint of the Backbone and strength or fortitude that her ancestor had for a dangerous career. It might even provide her some backbone when or if she needs it by that gentle reminder. All she has to do is look at her name and is reminded of her adventurous, strong, fearless Irish stock. Which lends to the name a bit of a spunky vibe.
As you can see the name is riddled with the most metaphorical meaning both on the surface in an obvious sense but also in a deeper theological sense as well. Yet, they all inter-connecting to one another. I hope I made sense and was helpful!
You understand me completely. I love the way you picked up on the theological aspects. My father is a Vicar and I have wanted to reflect my [name_m]Christian[/name_m] background in a subtle way. I also love Mythology and Literature.
A alternative to [name_f]Anna[/name_f] [name_f]Iris[/name_f] [name_f]Caoimhe[/name_f] is [name_f]Anna[/name_f] [name_f]Juno[/name_f] [name_f]Caoimhe[/name_f] which I really like. Meaning graceful, gentle, beautiful, precious queen of the heavens.
Hello! I vote for [name_f]Katharine[/name_f] [name_f]Marilla[/name_f] [name_f]Niamh[/name_f], the second option. This is a little bit biased, because my name is [name_f]Katharine[/name_f], but I love the way it’s spelled. I think this is a good choice because there are many possible nicknames for [name_f]Katharine[/name_f], but it is also a beautiful name on its own (again, I am biased). The second and third names are very unique, and I especially like [name_f]Marilla[/name_f].
Good luck with the names!
I love [name_f]Anna[/name_f] [name_f]Iris[/name_f]! I would prefer [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] to [name_f]Katharine[/name_f].
Now Anna Iris Caoimhe, is a little bit more straight-laced name, as a refined good-girl appeal. It doesn’t carry as much of an adventures spunk and intrigue as the other name but more devout faith and deeper intellectual theological aspect on life. Anna is classic-timeless name excepted in most countries, Iris gives this name a sense of beauty and mysterty. Iris Imo reflects God. Several quotes comes to mind to help describe my meaning:
-“Every rose is an autograph from the hand of God on his world around us.–He has inscribed his thoughts in these marvellous hierglyphics which sense and science have, these many thousand years, been seeking to understand.” --Theodore Parker (1810-1860) Am. Unit.Theologian
-“Flowers are God’s thoughts of beauty, taking form to gladden mortal gaze; bright gems of earth, in which, perchance, we see what Eden was-what paradise may be!”
–“Flowers are the sweetest things that God ever made and forgot to put a soul into.”
– Henery Ward Beecher (1813-1887) Am. Clergy
As you can see the Iris not only adds a touch of sophistication, but it adds a subtle- not in your face way of acknowledging God and his creations on earth. Furthermore, the fact that plants wither and come again, both signifying the death and rebirth of the Holy spirit, and God’s hand in that aspect. In the sense of Eve’s sin, that lead the change of the earth after the flood, and in the respect of Jesus death and rebirth. The Iris is beautiful in its own unique way, which adds that sense of mystery, but also shows beauty and grandeur in its most purest sense despite man’s sins. As for caoimhe, it reflects her spunky Irish heritage. The Irish heritage is often referred as being Strong minded, stubborn, Spunky sorts that enjoy life to its fullest with good sense of humors. So over-all, this name gives a bit most of a straight-laced way to reflect her heritage and God and your Father.
Interestingly, on side-note, flower names were considered lavish and were bestowed on
anyone of every class, which was considered silly at first and then presumptuous.
But if you consider that God loves everyone and welcomes everyone despite all class, it changes that old social custom that sinful-men confine man, women and child too. Again, on a long stretch but something that God talks about in human nature. So its a gentle reminder of God and mans purpose, beauty, but with a touch of family heritage that both loved life in its simplest and grandeur forms, and lived off God creation, and loved God (you said your family was religious). Now swap Iris for Juno, it comes across more spunky and off beat.
Now the caoihme, on paper at the end of the name looks odd, for those not familiar with the names roots, especially paired next to two very English sounding names. The flow seems a little off as well compaired to Kathrine. It depends which aspect of each name you want, but as I said before both are great but I still like my original choice I made yesterday. I hope this helped sum up my impression of both name combos. Good Luck, God Bless! 
I voted for [name_f]Anna[/name_f] [name_f]Iris[/name_f] [name_f]Caoimhe[/name_f] - It just sounds so dainty and delicate. I love it!