Neva/Niva/Geneva

[persepolis123]

We are expecting a baby girl in a few months time and have come across the name Neva (pronounced Nee-va) meaning snow. I am unsure about the spelling and also whether we should go for a longer name (Geneva) with the nickname Neva. Thoughts please? Similar name suggestions also welcome. Thanks

[PaperBagLady]

I like Neva - people may pronounce it Ne-Va though?

I also like Nahla, Naia, Nicole

[squishee]

Congratulations OP!

In all honesty Geneva gets a resounding No from me.
So does Neva.

However, I have a Neave in my family who has grown to suit her name.
I believe the Irish name Niamh is pronounced "Neave" but I'm unsure of the meaning, if any.

Are you wanting a name that suggests the snow theme?

[BarryTheHatchet]

Geneva is a place name, so I don't think that would work. I like Neva. I also like Nova and Nola.

[BarryTheHatchet]

Here's a list of names that mean 'snow'.

[BikeRunSki]

Nieve? In any of it's spelling could be nn'ed to Neeva.

Town names for people always make me think they must have been conceived there.

[Mobilette]

Agree that Geneva sounds strange as a name, and Niamh (pronounce Neeve) is good if you're a bit Irish and can spell it!
How about the good old-fashioned Genevieve? Then you can shorten to Gina, Neva, Viva or whatever you like.

[BikeRunSki]

Neave is pretty mainstream for non-Irish families now though.

[Jaffamoon]

I know a neva, she loves her name.

[Didactylos]

please dont spell it niva - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lada_Niva

[persepolis123]

I really like Genevieve but DP doesn't. Will keep working on it I think. I can call her Genevieve and he can call her Neva. It's a win win.

Yes I'm aware of the Russian 4x4 of the same name but it doesn't really bother me, I still love the name. From what I understand Neva is also a name used in Russia after the river there.

[TempsPerdu]

Not a fan of Geneva tbh - would struggle to see it as a 'proper' name, rather than simply a means of getting to the nn Neva. Love Ginevra and Genevieve though.

[persepolis123]

Geneva is DP's offering and yes I agree, other than having a longer name which you can use the nn Neva for I don't think much of it. It would be nice to have a longer name on the birth certificate though.

[RiverTam]

Geneva is a place, so no to that.

Ginevra is too Harry Potter for me (it's Ginny's real name).

Neva by itself is nice.

[BarryTheHatchet]

How is Nieve pronounced? Is it Spanish?

[AlmaMartyr]

I know a Nevah and a Nevaeh, both pronounced the same way that you're talking about. Lovely names :)

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

No to Neva, Niva and Geneva (that's a city, not a girls name).

[BarryTheHatchet]

Is Neveah pronounced Neeva?

[Sophronia]

Nevaeh is neh-vay-uh

[pinkangelita]

Nieve is pronounced knee-ev-ay(ev as in ever and ay as in able) I knew a little girl in Spain called Nieves and thought it was a really cute name

[burgatroyd]

Is too close to never and Nevaeh for my liking.

[mymummademelistentoshitmusic]

God no, hideous. Far too try hard.