So initially my partner and I were really set on Irish/Gaelic names. We love [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] and [name_m]Ronan[/name_m] but we also love [name_f]Anthea[/name_f], [name_f]Imogen[/name_f], [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f], [name_m]Alistair[/name_m]
Now I am aware I wont use all these names most likely. [name_f]Do[/name_f] you think sticking to a theme is better, I am concerned if we used [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] as a first name she may hate her name because it’s not straightforward to spell. Now I have a short Greek name that was uncommon in the 90s when I was born while my siblings had biblical names and both had letter started with an S and were common. Now there were times I felt like I didn’t belong as a child but these days I love how unique and different it is. I guess I just want to see what others thoughts are.
I want to start by saying you have great taste and I love all the names on your list. Niamh is beautiful.
Growing up as someone who had an Irish/Gaelic name that was pretty straightforward to spell (or so I thought), people got it wrong all the time anyway. Spelled it wrong, pronounced it wrong. All the time.
I generally liked my name, but found it frustrating at times. I did end up changing my name as an adult (for reasons mostly having to do with personal things, not because I disliked my name), and I picked something that people basically never spell or pronounce wrong as my new go-to name (Jack).
If you’re in the United States like I am, I’ll admit the spelling and pronunciation of Niamh might be an obstacle. That said, a name like Niamh is recognizable enough that hopefully people wouldn’t have to much trouble? And it’s a simple enough correction-- if it’s really “the one” and means a lot to you then I wouldn’t let that completely dissuade you.
All in all it’s up to you, but yes, unfortunately Niamh could be an issue if you don’t live or expect to live somewhere with a particularly high Irish/Celtic descended population.
I’m not sure where you live, but I can only speak to the U.S. experience. I don’t think hardly anyone here would know how to spell or pronounce [name_f]Niamh[/name_f]. Unless you are willing to use the anglicized spelling (Neve), I’m not sure it’s worth it.
I personally don’t like [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] due to a really nasty girl I knew with this name and spelling. But I love your other suggestions! I also think [name_f]Gillian[/name_f] (said like [name_f]Jillian[/name_f], but the original Celtic spelling), and [name_f]Maeve[/name_f] would work well with your list!
I think the names you like alongside the Gaelic/Irish ones mesh stylistically and have the same amount of ‘uniqueness’. I don’t think it would feel odd to use [name_m]Ronan[/name_m], [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] and [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f] together, or [name_f]Anthea[/name_f], [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] and [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] etc.
Concerning [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] in the UK she is becoming more mainstream ranked at #135 in the popularity charts she feels rather familiar. I have encountered a couple of Niamh’s at toddler groups and soft play all of this adding to her popularity in my mind. So I would say that [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] isn’t as challenging as you may think. Yes you do have to think about the spelling if you’re not familiar with Gaelic names but I think with more increased usage the more familiar people will be. Furthermore there is such a wide variety of names so I think unlike when we were young (I’m born 1994 so a 90s kid) there just wasn’t such a wide range of names therefore if you did grow up in the 90s being the only [name_f]Hebe[/name_f] for example you would stick out more than being the only [name_f]Hebe[/name_f] in the classroom nowadays.
Regarding themes I do love a theme however I think it’s more important to choose names you love rather than follow a theme. If you love [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] go for it even if your other kiddos are [name_m]Sebastian[/name_m] & [name_m]Theodore[/name_m].
I don’t know where you live OP (but I’m assuming it’s not Ireland or the UK - the UK has a big enough Irish population that I can’t see these names being an issue). I have spoken to Irish people who lived in the United States either as students or for work, who told me Americans often had no idea how to pronounce their names. Even very common Irish names like Siobhan are largely known in the States.
I think you would have to weigh up how much you love the names Vs dealing with the pronunciation issues. Or look for Irish names that are more familiar in your region e.g. Nora and Oscar are pretty universal.
Re: themes, I don’t think using an Irish name for one child obliges you to use Irish names for the other kids. Even among Irish families there is often a mix of name origins.
i know a niamh who loves her name, though people always spell and pronounce it wrong. the way i see it, you can’t predict the way your child will feel about his or her name, but i believe you will know when you find the ‘one’. go with your gut and choose a name you love!
I’m not sure where you are from but I will say until Nameberry told me otherwise I had a complete wrong idea of how [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] was pronounced. A distant relative married someone with this name and we were told by others that they believed it was pronounced like “Name”. Color me surprised when I learned otherwise. I feel with everything though it’s hard to guess how an unborn child will respond to their name…. Some like their names that are too popular others hate it. Some like their unique names others hate it. I feel either way it’s a roll of the dice.
I’d love to be named [name_f]Anthea[/name_f] or [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f], but not [name_f]Niamh[/name_f]. I haven’t the faintest idea how to say it and I always misspell it. I’m not big on thematic namings.
I love a good theme but it shouldn’t restrict your name options.
I do not love pronunciation issues. If you’re not in an area that [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] would be an intuitive pronunciation, I’d hesitate.
Use it in the middle if you love it! Your other options are lovely. Also, I think there’s many [name_u]Irish[/name_u] options out there that do not have pronunciation issues elsewhere.
