Niamh or Nancy or Claudia

itsasmallworld you should change your name to itsasmallmind.

OP there is no problem using Niamh. Most people will have heard of it as it is a very commonly used name in England.

It's just a bit boring and dated to me as an Irish person. Like Claire or Joanne would be to an English person.

I still really love Nancy. Might pinch it for my list .

itsasmallworldisntit clearly it's not such a small world, seeing as you've never in your life come across the name Niamh before.

Oh sod it, let's just call everyone Jane or Ann and be done with it.

OP, if your DH is Irish then it's entirely appropriate to use the Irish spelling.

It is hilarious that whenever Claudia is mentioned someone always mentions the lame thing. Go out on the street and ask everyone if they know the meaning of Claudia or Amelia -etc. Nobody cares what names mean, apart from people (who spend too much time on the MN baby name board) who are obsessed with names.

Name your baby whatever you and your DH like most OP... you're the ones who have to be happy to use it every day for the rest of your life. Theres nothing in your list that would cause the child to be embarrassed.

I was pointing out that you acknowledged that it would be tricky at first. I wouldn't want to make understanding the English language any more difficult than necessary for a child.
I personally would find an English form of the name more appropriate. Neve for example. Aside from this I must say I not a fan of the name anyway, I posted as I thought Niamh looks very strange as have never seen it written like that. Again - just my observation and opinion and not intended to offend.

Anyway, Nancy puts me in mind of my very in pc father saying "Nancy-boy". Sorry. Am sure you would mix with far more enlightened people. And not loving Niamh, it doesn't compare it terms of prettiness with Claudia.

In a minute someone will trot out "perhaps I've studied too much Latin".

Rachel means sheep you know and doesn't Rebecca mean tied up or something? And Emilia/y means rival. Oh and Persephone means bringer of death!

itsasmallworldisntit - you must be one of the few who struggle with the pronunciation of common Irish names in England.

I really don't think that's an issue. There are much more challenging Irish names.

'And most non English names are spelt how they sound. You point out that some Nigerian names are tricky at first which further validates my point'

Ummm, how is your point validated?

People read a name, have no clue how to pronounce it, find out how to pronounce the name, problem solved. Imagine that, people broadening their horizons beyond John and Mary!

Love Claudia. Beautiful name.

Mumsnetters are obsessed with its Latin origin!! Seriously, only on here will anyone ever mention it. In a m

I'm in uk (England) and know several Niamhs.

Personally like both Nancy and Claudia, but would veer towards Nancy I think.

Niamh is a beautiful name. People spelling it wrong (like Neve Campbell) would annoy me

Nancy is short for Agnes which I would give as the birth cert name, also v pretty and sophisticated

I like Claudia too just not as much

And most non English names are spelt how they sound. You point out that some Nigerian names are tricky at first which further validates my point

Didn't mean confused by own name. But by the sounds for the letters.

Claudia is beautiful. Niamh ok but there are nicer irish names imo. Niamh is common enough in England that must people would know it I think.

I hate Claudia.

Niamh is ok but too popular for me.

Nancy is lovely.

Well I don't see a non English name to be a 'disadvantage'. And lots of names aren't pronounced as the spelling suggests. Some Nigerian names can be tricky as first.

Also, honestly, how many kids are confused by their own name?

Agree that there are now many exotic names in the UK but most are pronounced as the spelling of the word suggests. I myself would not choose a name that could disadvantage or confuse my child. (my opinion)

Yup, it means 'bright'. Have to admit I've never heard the title Niamh of the Golden Hair but she certainly is a prominent figure in Irish folklore.

Sqoosh, please correct me if I am wrong, but I think Niamh means 'brightness' or 'radiance' - so it has a very happy meaning.

And Celtic legends tell of an exceptionally beautiful heroine, daughter of the god of the sea, called 'Niamh of the Golden Hair' ...

It's a pretty common name in England these days I believe. The UK is a multicultural society, classrooms are populated with all sorts of seemingly exotic names.

Sorry I assumed the child would be going to school in England.

It's pronounced NEE-uv and it is phonetic in Irish.

Just as oranges aren't the only fruit, English isn't the only language.

Niamh? Nee-am-h? I don't get it. How do you say that? Don't understand why anyone would give a child a name that phonetically makes no sense?

Going against the grain it seems I love Claudia (or what about Clara?) can't stand nancy and like Niamh but not as much as Claudia!