Niamh or Neve?

[seashell81]

This is high on my list if bump is a girl and i'm just wondering which written form people prefer. Would Niamh cause problems with pronounciation (we do not live in Ireland)? Also if you know any other spellings for the name please let me know bit.ly/1qCmhkD

[EyelinerQueen]

Niamh.

Neve is awful awful awful awful. A completely made up spelling.

If you're going to use an Irish name then spell it properly. Otherwise don't use it.

[AFishCalledBarry]

Niamh. Definitely. It's beautiful :)

[Middleagedmotheroftwo]

Niamh

[NigellasDealer]

niamh defiinitely

[MrsBungle]

Niamh

[tilbatilba]

both awful

[Raxacoricofallapatorius]

Niamh.

[Mumof3xx]

Niamh

It's fairly common these days I don't think spelling or pronunciation would be an issue

[plum100]

I know a couple of Neve's - one whose mother is Irish herself. i also know a Neave. I would say its personal choice - just because others think its awful - not their baby! Plus sure no one would be rude enough to say its awful once shes born.

[TheScience]

I think Niamh has become popular enough outside Ireland that the correct spelling won't cause too many problems - similar to Siobhan, Roisin, Sinead.

[holidaysarenice]

Niamh or we will all silently snigger at you behind our hands.

[EyelinerQueen]

I agree TheScience. It's extremely popular in the UK right now.

I don't think spelling it correctly would cause any problems.

[Finbarfinbo]

Niamh

[squoosh]

They're pronounced differently.

[affinia]

I would go with Neve or another name people can generally spell. After 43 years am sick of spelling my name.

Think Neve is pretty anyway.

[seashell81]

Hehe, thanks for your responses - they make an entertaining read - some strong opinions here ;-)

[grizzabellia]

definitely Niamh - the name loses all its charm of spelled wrongly.

[seashell81]

I agree Niamh is prettier.

[bouquetofpencils]

Niamh. I think it is well known enough for most people to know how to spell it.
But Neve is nice too.

[aoife24]

Not under any circumstances should you use Neve. It turns a beautiful name into something ugly.

[FrumiousBandersnatch]

I thought that Neve was pronounced to rhyme with 'bev'? That's certainly how Neve Campbell from the Scream films pronounces it...

[popterryvent]

I know one of each. Lovely name. I do prefer the spelling Neve though.

[onthehill]

Niamh. It's an Irish name, Irish spelling, also agree that most non irishers (me included) are familiar with it. Our friend Niamh who IS Irish also seems to add a sort of 'Neeyuvv' lilt to it, which is lost with Neve.

[Alisvolatpropiis]

Niamh.

If you're going to use a name, spell it properly.

Also Neve is Hebrew name (I think?) and not pronounced in the same way.

Neve is doesn't have the long ee sound and stronger emphasis on the v.