Since joining Nameberry I have loved the Irish name ‘[name_f]Niamh[/name_f]’ (pronounced ‘neev’), and one day I thought I might use it as a name for a child. It has a lovely sound, it’s simple, and has a lovely meaning.
However, I’m not irish. Not even a drop of it - and [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] strikes as a very irish name. While I’m aware lots of non irish people call their kids [name_m]Liam[/name_m] or [name_m]Connor[/name_m], it’s a tad different because those names have been in use in other countries for a long time, and sound very normal.
Whereas with [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] I’d feel like I would constantly explaining myself - especially if I kept the spelling…
I’d thought of using [name_f]Neve[/name_f] instead, same pronunciation, but then you potentially run into the problem of people thinking it’s the Spanish for snow, and saying ‘neh-vey’!
What do you think? [name_m]How[/name_m] much does background matter with picking a name? And what are your opinions of the ‘[name_f]Niamh[/name_f]’ spelling?
I’d say use it if you love it! People who aren’t Greek use named like [name_f]Althea[/name_f] and [name_m]Dimitri[/name_m]. I’d definitely suggest using a more phonetic spelling, especially if you live in the US. [name_f]Neve[/name_f] is a great spelling. Unless you live in a Spanish neighborhood I don’t think that would be an issue. I’d be more concerned with people saying “[name_u]Nev[/name_u]” as in [name_f]Neve[/name_f] [name_u]Campbell[/name_u]. Maybe Neave or Neeve?
I’d use [name_f]Neve[/name_f] and just correct anyone who pronounces it wrong. You’ll be introducing your daughter verbally most of the time anyways.
Using that spelling tells people you don’t have any connection to [name_f]Ireland[/name_f]. I’m not a fan of using names from cultures to which you have no connection. Especially if there is an anglicized/westernized spelling already in use.
Part of the charm of Irish names is their unusual and quirky spellings. [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] is one of my faves. The name loses its charm when the spelling is changed in my opinion. I’m of Irish heritage so it’s a pet peeve of mine. You can take comfort in the fact that [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] is quite popular in [name_f]England[/name_f] and I don’t think it’s just Irish people who are now choosing it for their daughters. The more people see and hear it in all of its original Irish beauty, the more familiar it becomes. Many Irish names are crossing over and I think [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] will be in the next wave. It will be on more people’s radars when they look for more authentic Celtic names. Personally, I’m not a proponent of changing spellings of names from other cultures simply to make things easier for other people. People can always learn how to spell and pronounce things correctly.
I think [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] is pretty, but agree with @schickler in that I’m not a fan of using names from cultures to which you have no connection.
[name_f]Neve[/name_f] is pretty, though, and I wouldn’t worry about it being confused for snow in Spanish. To be nit-picky, the word for snow in Spanish is “nieve” (nyeh-beh), not neve, though nevé is a conjugation of the verb “Nevar” (to snow). However, this verb is almost exclusively used in the third person singular as you wouldn’t say “I snowed” (which is literally what nevé means). Also, isn’t there a popular actress named [name_f]Neve[/name_f] [name_u]Campbell[/name_u]? I’m sure most people know how the name is pronounced.
I think it’s perfectly fine! There are tons of people who (knowingly and unknowingly) use names from cultures that they’re not apart of. I love Greek and Greek mythology names and I have no connection to the Greek culture. If I ever have kids one day I’ll most likely end up using a name from a culture I’m not apart of.
I think you should keep the [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] spelling! It’s much prettier than [name_f]Neve[/name_f] in my opinion.
I think you can use names from other cultures as long as you take the time to learn to pronounce it correctly, which you’ve done. On the other hand, NO ONE in the English world says “[name_f]Josephine[/name_f]” and “Ages” properly. They don’t even pronounce [name_f]Nicole[/name_f] and [name_f]Michelle[/name_f] correctly. And who is honestly going to bother nit-picking about it? I feel silly just pointing it out for an example. So, I’d go ahead and use it.
[name_f]Neve[/name_f] [name_u]Campbell[/name_u] pronounces her name as nehv, rhymes with [name_m]Lev[/name_m]. Though, I believe most people who use [name_f]Neve[/name_f] say it as neev. I think [name_f]Neve[/name_f] is a beautiful name, and because [name_f]Eve[/name_f] is now in the Top 10, it sounds really fresh, yet familiar. I’d really just use [name_f]Neve[/name_f] instead of [name_f]Niamh[/name_f].
But I’m biased I realize now. I’m not Irish and I’m considering [name_f]Roisin[/name_f], after a dear Irish friend. So, using [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] would also be fine.
I didn’t know [name_f]Neve[/name_f] had anything to do anything Spanish, so I wouldn’t worry about it.
You know I think it’s fine. People use Russian names like [name_f]Tatiana[/name_f] and aren’t necessarily Russian. [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] is really popular in [name_f]England[/name_f] (where I am) I hear it all the time and I am sure all [name_f]Niamh[/name_f]'s running around here aren’t Irish. Go for it! [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] is a lovely name.
I really like [name_f]Niamh[/name_f], but I think it’s very hard for average people (meaning other than name-nerds) to spell and figure out how to pronounce it. So maybe the [name_f]Neve[/name_f] spelling would be better even though the original spelling is awesome. I wouldn’t even think to pronounce [name_f]Neve[/name_f] ‘neh-vey’. Some might first pronounce it ‘nehv’, but I think most just say ‘neev’.
And what comes to using names from other cultures, I think it’s perfectly fine. A lot of “normal” names are originally from other cultures and no one even thinks about it. No one thinks twice about [name_u]Nichole[/name_u], [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] or [name_f]Alice[/name_f] for example and all of those have their origins in other cultures. Maybe [name_f]Neve[/name_f] or even [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] could one day be just one of those names.
I’m 100% Dutch, I’d not be such a name nerd if I would limit myself to matching my blood. What’s a few drops of blood anyway? Really if you grow up outside any of the countries of your heritage and you have these percentages like for example 20% [name_m]German[/name_m] and 0% Irish, then honestly you’re about as Irish to me as you are [name_m]German[/name_m].
As to the name [name_f]Niamh[/name_f], I love it but the spelling is always going to be a struggle. Like I tried to make clear, the fact that it’s Irish isn’t an issue, the fact is that original spellings of Irish names are both the appeal and the biggest disadvantage of these names. So yes, you’re going to have to spell it forever if you insist on the [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] spelling, but the pronunciation is pretty straight forward once you’ve heard it. I am not really the right person to tell you whether you should or shouldn’t do it since I’ll be most likely battling the same dilemma at one point, for certain names I actually prefer the anglicized version… spelling alternatives for [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] include: Niav, [name_f]Neve[/name_f], Neave, Neeve.
Other than the, in my opinion, superior [name_f]Niamh[/name_f], I personally like Neeve most because of the somehow feminine looking double ‘e’.
I don’t think it’s a problem using it with no Irish heritage, here in the UK I know a lot of English parents that have used [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] for their daughters and not had any problems with spelling or pronunciation
Basically in my opinion, go for [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] I think it’s a gorgeous name!
I say go for it, using the traditional spelling! I’m a 3rd generation Canadian with ancestry from many European countries (like so many non-native [name_u]North[/name_u] Americans!) and my list is full of names to which I have little to no blood connection. I have grandparents of [name_m]German[/name_m], Scottish, and Irish descent, but I don’t think I have any greater claim to such names than those with different ancestry. I also love many names from Greek mythology and would consider using many of them despite my utter lack of Greek heritage. The English language is full of words borrowed from other languages, I don’t see why our names should be any different!
You will have to spell [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] for people the first (and second, and maybe third…) time they hear it, but at least you’ll be prepared! Many parents choose what they think is a foolproof name only to find themselves spelling and pronouncing it after all.
i’m in Australia and know four [name_f]Niamh[/name_f]'s, a [name_f]Neve[/name_f] and a Neeve. Most of them are Irish but the pronunciation of the name is common knowledge (at least here) since I’ve never heard anyone screw it up. I would use the Neeve spelling if you are so worried about the pronunciation it is creative but it clearly shows the pronunciation you want.
Whatever you do don’t touch [name_f]Neve[/name_f] or Neave. They’re utter abominations! As an Irish person I can honestly say they like [name_f]Kiera[/name_f], [name_f]Shevonne[/name_f] and certain others bring me out in a rash. [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] itself is a lovely name. [name_f]Pleasant[/name_f] meaning and simple sound, ethereal and lovely to the American ear.
However in [name_f]Ireland[/name_f], [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] is a bit dated. It was part of a second wave of Irish girls’ names, replacing [name_f]Sinead[/name_f] and [name_f]Siobhan[/name_f]. [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] was part of the 90s influx including [name_f]Aisling[/name_f], [name_f]Aoife[/name_f] and [name_f]Eimear[/name_f]. Names like these have now been replaced with [name_u]Aoibheann[/name_u], Róisín, [name_f]Sorcha[/name_f] and any obscure Irish name that will be unique. So many Irish girls are now being treasured with obscure Irish names while their brothers enjoy the classics like Seán and [name_m]Eoin[/name_m].
Irish language names for girls are in their essence, fashionable if occasionally pretentious in their native land. You however should not worry about this as you are American! However, just note [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] isn’t that fashionable a choice everywhere yet could be a lovely one. [name_m]Don[/name_m]'t worry about what people will think but in every case, not just [name_f]Niamh[/name_f], just don’t choose it for fashion.
I agree! [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] is certainly a name that can cross over to non-Irish. You just get used to being asked if you are Irish heritage, you smile and say “No, but I just loved the name!” - I have the same with my son [name_m]Soren[/name_m]'s name, now he feels a strong connection to Norse countries and myths as he knows it is a Danish name which is no bad thing.
I think it’s a great name, and I also love [name_f]Saoirse[/name_f] and [name_f]Caoimhe[/name_f] (seer-sha and kee-va). If you like it, use it! [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] is a pretty popular name in [name_f]England[/name_f], where I live, so it’s normal to me. [name_m]Just[/name_m] be prepared to correct people (a lot!) if [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] isn’t a name they’re likely to have come across before.
My name is [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] and I’m not Irish! It works perfectly fine.
[name_f]Niamh[/name_f] is also the best way to spell it, anglicised versions of the spelling takes away its beautiful history and meaning and heritage! Always stick with the original spelling as [name_f]Neve[/name_f] is entirely different name that means something else.
[name_f]Hope[/name_f] this helps!
I’m from [name_f]England[/name_f] and none of the [name_f]Niamh[/name_f]'s I know (aged 2-22) are even vaguely Irish so I’d say you’re fine. I wouldn’t worry about spelling or pronunciation because even common, straightforward names get mangled sometimes. My Name ([name_f]Kirsten[/name_f]) is pretty easy to say and spell but more often than not I get [name_f]Kirstie[/name_f] or [name_f]Kristen[/name_f] (even when it’s written down in front of people!). You could use [name_f]Neve[/name_f] but I personally feel it looses the charm of [name_f]Niamh[/name_f].
I’m sure most people know how the name is pronounced.