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Baby names

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Original poster

Niamh vs Neve

68 replies

Mango194 · 18/03/2013 19:52

One month to go until DD1 is due and one of the (very few!) names on our shortlist is Niamh, which I've always loved. We live in England; do you think most people know the correct pronunciation, or would it be better to spell it Neve (I'd rather use the authentic spelling but don't want to saddle DD with an unpronounceable name, having grown up with one myself!). I should add that our Irish connection is fairly distant (my paternal grandmother, long deceased, and no other family there with whom we're in touch). Opinions gratefully received!

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sashh · 19/03/2013 04:27

Please, please go with the standard (Irish) spelling.

After a life time of my name being misspelled I changed it to the common spelling.

Niamh is so common in England these days I don't think it will be a problem.

MidnightMasquerader · 19/03/2013 03:55

Neve is a misspelling and a mispronunciation of the name Niamh, so definitely don't go with it.

As others have said, the actual pronunciation of the name is with two syllables; the seond syllable very soft - so Neve/Neeve/Neave are all rather ignorant, Anglo bastardisations of the name. Wink

ThisIsMummyPig · 19/03/2013 01:29

I know a Neve, to rhyme with sleeve, and that's how I would have thought it. On a written down basis I thought Niamh would have been Neem. I can't believe I would have been on my own with that.

OkayHazel · 19/03/2013 01:28

I knew a Neeve as a child, only really now realizing its made up. It was the only way I knew how to spell it for so long!

LinusVanPelt · 19/03/2013 01:10

Niamh is pronounced more like "NEE-uv" where I live, with the second syllable being more like a half-syllable, if that makes any sense at all.

For me it's a big part of the charm of the name - it's not the same at all when it's just pronounced as the one-syllable "NEEV".

BeeBopDingALing · 19/03/2013 01:00

I know a Neve and it's pronounced Neeve. Never heard it ever said sounding like Nev.

Either spelling, it's a beautiful name.

Original poster
Mango194 · 18/03/2013 21:03

Thanks everyone Smile Definitely wasn't convinced about spelling it Neve, and your replies have confirmed that! Niamh is going on the shortlist - it's between that and one other name atm... we'll just have to wait and see what suits her best!

OP posts:
LeslieWink1e · 18/03/2013 21:01

Nieve is snow in spanish. Nieves is a name. So I want to say nee-ev-ess

PacificDogwood · 18/03/2013 20:37

Well, I never! Shock
I stand corrected.

Niamh, every time in that case Grin

Trazzletoes · 18/03/2013 20:36

Pacific you'd think so, eh? But she's a Nev!

booksandchoc · 18/03/2013 20:32

How about spelling it Neive?

PacificDogwood · 18/03/2013 20:29

I thought Neve Campbell's name was pronounced Neeve? Confused

Bunbaker · 18/03/2013 20:21

"Neve would rhyme with Lev,"

Now, I would pronounce Neve like Neeve to rhyme with sleeve. To rhyme with Lev I would spell it Nev. So I would pronounce Niamh as Neeve. I wonder if this is regional?

Gooseysgirl · 18/03/2013 20:20

What Kobayashi said

Elvensong · 18/03/2013 20:15

Roory for Ruairidh... I've seen Roary as well, nearly as bad. I have a Rory - lived in UK at the time so decided not to go with traditional Irish spelling. Would've chosen Niamh or Aoife if had a girl.

Floggingmolly · 18/03/2013 20:15

Use it properly or don't use it at all.

DewDr0p · 18/03/2013 20:13

Definitely Niamh - it's gorgeous and I think well known enough not to cause her any major issues.

Trazzletoes · 18/03/2013 20:12

bunbaker yes, Niamh is pronounced Neeve.

Neve is pronounced Nev. like Kev.

nenevomito · 18/03/2013 20:11

Niamh for sure.

Neve looks like you missed the r off never.

Elvensong · 18/03/2013 20:11

Btw, I adore the name, however it's pronounced.

weegiemum · 18/03/2013 20:11

Neve is a made up spelling for Niamh.

Like Ailly is made up for Eilidh, or Roory (yes I've seen it) for Ruaraidh.

Please use the authentic spelling. It's hardly unusual these days!

Elvensong · 18/03/2013 20:10

In the part of Ireland where I live, Niamh is usually pronounced something like Nee-uv, not Neeve.

LeslieWink1e · 18/03/2013 20:10

Sorry, I shouldn't have said that. Can I take it back before I'm lynched.

SchroSawMargeryDaw · 18/03/2013 20:10

Niamh.

wigglesrock · 18/03/2013 20:10

I'd pronounce them differently too, Neve would rhyme with Lev, it would need to be spelt Neave for me to pronounce it like Niamh.