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Baby names

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

Original poster

Nevaeh

139 replies

gonutkin · 28/09/2022 11:49

I need honest opinions on the name Neveah, the infamous heaven spelt backwards.

I like unusual names but nothing that looks completely made up. I also don't usually ask for anyone opinions of our childrens names as I believe as long as we like it that's all that matters.

We are struggling for a name for our girl and came across Nevaeh, I do like it and the meaning with it. We are religious but not as strongly as others may be.

Is it honestly a nice name or not.. I've seen comments over the years about it being a bit of a chavvy name.. don't really know why but I'm curious to see what people think. I think it's a lovely name but am apprehensive. We have others on our list so it's not our number 1 choice but I'm curious if others opinion of it.

Thanks!

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Lalliella · 28/09/2022 23:59

It’s dreadful. Totally naff to spell heaven backwards. It’s chav central, sorry OP.

QueSyrahSyrah · 28/09/2022 23:27

I don't like it, sorry. It reminds me of someone I encountered with an unusual name that turned out to be her Dad's name spelt backwards.

I won't say what it was, but it makes me cringe.

Cheeselog · 28/09/2022 23:19

pinkpotatoez · 28/09/2022 15:41

It's pronounced na-vay-uh for those asking

Nivea is pronounced niv-ay-uh so it is very similar tbf

Jeelypieces20storeys · 28/09/2022 23:04

I like the sound of it, but would probably spell it Nevaya to avoid the whole "heaven spelt backwards..." Comments. I know an Avaya which has a similar sound.

Agree with pp who said Miriam & Ruth are dull and Seraphina sounds beautiful but is a bit too mouthy & pretentious for me.

Luredbyapomegranate · 28/09/2022 22:03

It very much has the reputation you suggest, to the point of being a joke (like Sharon and Tracey in the 80s).

It would be unkind and unhelpful to your daughter to use it.

CarsonViolet · 28/09/2022 16:41

I always hear it pronounced as Nivea which is a bit off putting in itself...

Hoppinggreen · 28/09/2022 16:19

catbirddogchild · 28/09/2022 15:01

Sorry this is literally the example of a bad name choice. Actually quite common In certain places (certain demographics).
Guarantee to have the midwife/ Gp/ Hv/ teacher silently groaning when you tell them "it's heaven spelt backwards".

I think the only way it could be worse is it add -Mai onto it

pinkpotatoez · 28/09/2022 15:41

It's pronounced na-vay-uh for those asking

passport123 · 28/09/2022 15:35

NalaNana · 28/09/2022 13:09

Not sure how relevant this is but I spent some time working in the child protection area, lots and lots with this name. I haven't come across it otherwise.

Show quote history

yes. Lots registered with the GP practice where I work. I agree they do seem to be over-represented in those on the child protection lists......

losingit31 · 28/09/2022 15:23

No

There are plenty of lovely names and it isn't even top of your list, so why would you?

caitlinrose · 28/09/2022 15:15

It's not a name I would use myself but I do think it's quite pretty.

It has a soft sound and if I didn't know where it came from I would guess it to be a Biblical name as it resembles many others.

I think you should use it if it's your dream name but I would keep in mind that many people might find it trendy and add a more classic middle name.

My personal feeling is that it peaked about 10 or so years ago but I might be wrong about that.

catbirddogchild · 28/09/2022 15:01

Sorry this is literally the example of a bad name choice. Actually quite common In certain places (certain demographics).
Guarantee to have the midwife/ Gp/ Hv/ teacher silently groaning when you tell them "it's heaven spelt backwards".

Algor1thm · 28/09/2022 14:51

Susej** 🙈😆

Itreallyistimetochangethings · 28/09/2022 14:46

I don't have any views either way - but in my field of work it is a name I've seen several times given to babies by parents who are often drug addicts.

Algor1thm · 28/09/2022 14:42

@kuvira I taught a child spelt Neveah 😆 I always wanted to ask the mum whether she'd realised or not... It does actually look better than Nevaeh though.

OP, this is up there with the worst, most class-less names of all time. Might as well go with Reyarp or Sesuj and at least be original 🙈

MurderAtTheBeautyPageant · 28/09/2022 14:38

ChristmasJumpers · 28/09/2022 12:27

I see you've already decided against it but where I'm from it's definitely used by a certain type of family. Mumsnet doesn't like the word chav but I can't think of a better one

If this thread is anything to go by Mumsnet absolutely adores the word chav.

Kanaloa · 28/09/2022 14:28

SpingsandTrees · 28/09/2022 13:07

Does anyone actually know anyone called this or is it an urban myth?

I’ve looked after two little girls named Nevaeh. It’s definitely used as a name.

Personally it wouldn’t be for me - it’s not my style and I’m not keen on names that need to be spelled out or explained.

Having said that I’m not keen on the nasty ‘chavvy’ pile on that names like these tend to invite on mumsnet. It makes me wonder if the threads are started specifically to start one of those little ‘kick down’ fests that seem so popular on this board specifically. I just find them very nasty and I think there are a lot of ways to say you dislike a name without being snobby and cruel.

Hugasauras · 28/09/2022 14:28

Sorry, I think it's tacky and hideous and I don't really get the 'meaning' aspect of it. Why name your child after somewhere people allegedly go when they've pegged it? Confused What's nice about that?! Lots of lovelier names with much nicer meanings around!

CJsGoldfish · 28/09/2022 14:25

So, so bad.
Throw a random y or h, or both, in an otherwise normal name to uneek it up and surely that's just as good 🤷‍♀️

steppemum · 28/09/2022 13:56

viques · 28/09/2022 13:11

I know a very feisty 88 year old Miriam. She’s great. Ruth is a lovely name that deserves a revival.

Show quote history

I love th ename Miriam
I know many of them from old to young.
But I move in Christian circles where it has always been a name that is used.
Along with
Hannah
Anna
Ruth
Rebecca
Rachel
Naomi
and more recently Keziah, which I love.

youagainomg · 28/09/2022 13:48

Instantly think chav, sorry.

fatnotfluffy · 28/09/2022 13:46

In all honesty, I'd rather take baby naming advice from Elon Musk than saddle some poor kid with Heaven-Backwards

emmathedilemma · 28/09/2022 13:46

It's truly awful.

Sandysandwich · 28/09/2022 13:46

It sounds a bit like a company name to me.
Like for a surveyor called Nev or Ned

ItsJustLittleOlMe · 28/09/2022 13:45

Chavvy

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