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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Neve, Nieve or Niamh?

165 replies

orangeunicorn · 28/08/2018 23:53

Ttc at the moment but already set on a girls name. Just curious as to how people think it's best spelt Smile

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beforeihit30 · 29/08/2018 20:02

Just on the ‘nieve’ pronunciation as I saw comments on this, on the off chance you come across a fair few Spanish speakers in your life then it doesn’t sound similar. It sounds like ‘nee-eh-beh’.

I like Niamh Smile always have done, but I’m from a Scottish family with Irish roots so I’m partial to a Celtic/Gaelic name.

DailyMailFail101 · 29/08/2018 20:01

I like Niamh best but I’ve since found out after having two children with slightly different names people are stupid so you may want to spell it phonetically. DS1 is named Bryn I honestly didn’t envisage having problem but people call him all sorts ‘Brine’, ‘Brian’ ‘Brea’ ‘sorry I don’t even know how to pronounce that’ it’s astonishing!

zeeboo · 29/08/2018 20:00

Niamh is the only actual spelling of Niamh. HTH.

Yika · 29/08/2018 19:59

I actually like it spelt Neve. (And I (English) would pronounce Neve and Niamh exactly the same.)

DrMadelineMaxwell · 29/08/2018 19:57

I had a class last year with 3 girls, each named one of the different spellings.

None of them pronounced it any differently to the other, so Neve can be said like Niamh if you so wish, because they certainly did.

BonnieF · 29/08/2018 19:56

Niamh is the correct spelling.

Mis-spelled Celtic names are slightly ‘the opposite of posh’.

BlessedImelda · 29/08/2018 19:54

Niamh. Also Munster, so ‘Neve’ doesn’t represent my pronunciation of it at all.

ShowOfHands · 29/08/2018 19:51

Don't worry op. I think most people understood that n ee v was a phonetic rendering of a one syllable pronunciation.

Go with Niamh.

GhostPerfume · 29/08/2018 19:40

Niamh

ForeverJung · 29/08/2018 19:39

Niamh or Eve.
That's my vote

Original poster
orangeunicorn · 29/08/2018 19:37

I was showing what sound, not syllables...if that makes any senseBlush

OP posts:
Original poster
orangeunicorn · 29/08/2018 19:36

Oh that's silly of me, duhBlushI know I split it into three but I was just showing how I pronounce it, I don't say it with 3 syllables at all. I'd say when I say it, it's one syllable like pps have said.

OP posts:
musmusculus · 29/08/2018 19:13

I know a Niamh (Irish) that says it with 2 (almost with a ‘the’ on the end. 3 it certainly is not! 1 agree.

SnowBambino · 29/08/2018 18:34

Neve. A perfect name all of its own. Niamh if you’re Irish though.

Katjolo · 29/08/2018 18:29

100% Niamh

ApolloandDaphne · 29/08/2018 18:24

Niamh. One syllable.

RavenWings · 29/08/2018 18:20

It has 2 syllables, regardless of where in the country you live. Leeds or no Leeds

What, Niamh?

Eh, no. Very much one syllable in my part of Ireland.

Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 29/08/2018 17:58

Oh, no, I see he is Yaniv.

Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 29/08/2018 17:55

Niamh would be my favourite.

Is Neve a Jewish boys' name (the guy from Catfish?)

musmusculus · 29/08/2018 17:54

N ee V ? Hmm

It has 2 syllables, regardless of where in the country you live. Leeds or no Leeds Confused

ArchbishopOfBanterbury · 29/08/2018 17:51

Niamh if it's Irish. Nieve if it's Spanish. They are pronounced slightly differently... so whichever reflects the sound and heritage you prefer.

Niamh is popular enough now that you don't need to anglicise it.

postcardsfrom · 29/08/2018 17:31

Niamh - can't stand Irish names being spelt phonetically! But I am Irish so...

Changedmynametoolikeyou · 29/08/2018 17:07

Niamh. The Irish pronunciation varies so no problem with pronouncing it as one syllable. The other spellings make it look like you heard the name somewhere and made up a spelling yourself. Niamh is much more common now and most people will know (or quickly learn!) how to say it. Lovely choice btw.

Flamingosnbears · 29/08/2018 16:49

Niamh

MiggledyHiggins · 29/08/2018 16:20

Niamh

It''s a recognisable pronounciation whereas your other two spellings are confusing.

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