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Baby names

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

Original poster

Noa/Niamh

31 replies

Randomname1234 · 23/08/2022 06:38

Noa and Niamh are my two favourite girls names. They are the only ones I absolutely love (and I’ve looked at so many names, so many times).

My concern about Noa is the popularity of the boys name Noah. When a name is really, really popular it sort of puts me off anyway but I’m also wondering whether she would would find it annoying having a name that is confused for a boys name? Is Noa getting more popular as a girls name anyway? Would love to hear from other people who have a Noa what their experience has been! It’s just such a beautiful, perfect name to me.

Another option would be to use the girls name Elinoa, with Noa as a nickname. But Elinoa is basically unheard of in the UK (O think?) and I don’t want it to seem like she has a ‘made up’ name. I think it’s lovely though and would go well with our surname.

The other name I love is Niamh. But I have no Irish connections and therefore it doesn’t feel quite right to use an Irish name. Also concerned about people not knowing the spelling.

There are other names I quite like but I don’t love them in the same way.

Any thoughts/experiences appreciated.

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Gensola · 23/08/2022 07:29

I know a very cute baby Noa - I think both names are gorgeous and you can’t go wrong!

Suzy14837 · 23/08/2022 07:27

Noa (for girls) is pretty common in the Jewish community here in North London. If you named your little girl Noa, I would assume you were Jewish.

Similarly I would probably guess Irish ancestry if you used Niamh.

Does any of this matter? Not really.

hotelp · 23/08/2022 07:20

We have a baby Noa in the family, I quite like it but most people were confused as just thought Noah was a boys name.

SundayTeatime · 23/08/2022 07:13

Niamh is fine, and the spelling is well known. Definitely don’t spell it Neve.
I am less keen on Noa. It’s not as known as Niamh, but is becoming more so, and I think Rachel Riley has a Noa. People will muddle it with Noah and that would be annoying to me.

CakeCrumbs44 · 23/08/2022 07:08

You can spell Niamh differently if you don't want people to jump on the Irish spelling, but I know a few girls called Niamh and it isn't a big problem.

Personally I would avoid Noa because the male version is so popular. What about Nova or Nora?

lavawater · 23/08/2022 06:58

I love Noa for a girl, but I understand the concern. I'd probably use it anyway, I think it's lovely!

Niamh is okay - I'd spell Neve. Not a personal favourite though.