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Baby names

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

Original poster

Which one is your favourite?

35 replies

caitlinrose · 12/11/2022 15:54

These are names I've been thinking about this week. The ones with stars are names I'm considering adding to the list for our baby. Comments on the names are appreciated and also let me know which one's your favourite:

Niamh* - the one I know says it neev but the internet says nee-ev is possible too
Sophie* - husband likes this but I knew so many growing up
Summer
Alexine*
Sarah - husband likes but I have the same problem as with Sophie just that I know even more

Also, as a middle name would you prefer Aisling or Niamh? We especially love the meanings of these two but the sound as well.

Summer was a favourite of mine as a teenager and I just thought of it again this week. I still think it's nice but don't think I'd choose it (especially because my favourite season is actually not Summer). But sometimes I get nostalgic about kitschy combinations like Summer Rose (which I wanted to use for ages) or Summer Storm.

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LizzieAnt · 13/11/2022 17:43

My personal opinion is that I would go ahead with the Neeve pronunciation (if that's the name you choose) in the awareness that the pronunciation is a somewhat modified/anglicised one. Lots of people in Ireland do use that pronunciation, especially in certain areas. And lots of Irish names have been anglicised, either in the spelling or pronunciation or both, so it's certainly not unusual.

GlassDeli · 13/11/2022 16:01

I like Summer Aisling, Sarah Niamh and Sophie Niamh.

Original poster
caitlinrose · 13/11/2022 13:09

LizzieAnt · 13/11/2022 11:27

I'm Irish and Niamh is always Nee-uv where I am OP. As others have said the second syllable is soft. I think Nee-uv is less an Irish accent thing and more an Irish language thing. By which I mean, Niamh is never pronounced Neeve in the Irish language, but most of Ireland speaks English now so the pronunciation Neeve is used in some areas here. Neeve is not an Irish language pronunciation though, whereas Nee-uv is.

www.forvo.com/word/niamh

Thank you!

Would you say it's wrong to say neev? Or is it acceptable? I'm not sure if I could get the nuances in nee-uv right, unfortunately.

OP posts:
Hobbesmanc · 13/11/2022 11:37

There's some other pretty versions of Sarah. Sara is very classic. Or Saira or sarai maybe.

LizzieAnt · 13/11/2022 11:27

I'm Irish and Niamh is always Nee-uv where I am OP. As others have said the second syllable is soft. I think Nee-uv is less an Irish accent thing and more an Irish language thing. By which I mean, Niamh is never pronounced Neeve in the Irish language, but most of Ireland speaks English now so the pronunciation Neeve is used in some areas here. Neeve is not an Irish language pronunciation though, whereas Nee-uv is.

www.forvo.com/word/niamh

pimlicoanna · 12/11/2022 23:08

Sophie. But much prefer Sophia. I don't like the others.

FootballisLife · 12/11/2022 22:47

I think Niamh is a lovely name! Everyone knows how to pronounce it now. I think the other way to pronounce is just for people who have an Irish lilt in their accent.

I couldn't imagine being an adult called Summer.

Dreamingcats · 12/11/2022 22:12

Niamh - I've only heard it pronounced Neev. Most people I know know how to say it.

Sophie - I like it but it's popularity would put me off

Summer - like

Alexine - never heard it before but I like it. Also like Andrine.

Sarah - love.

Sarah Alexine for me!

secondaryquandries · 12/11/2022 22:04

Sophie or Niamh pronounced Neev

PurBal · 12/11/2022 19:58

Sarah needs a resurgence. Otherwise Niamh.

TheSausageKingofChicago · 12/11/2022 19:56

I love Niamh. It’s not particularly unusual where I live (NW) but very pretty.
Sophie is nice too - simple and unfussy, but pretty.
Not keen on Sarah, too many in their 40s for my taste.
I prefer Alexa to Alexine but the Amazon device has ruined that.

Luredbyapomegranate · 12/11/2022 19:49

Niamh - it’s Neeve - the ending sound people are referring to is in some Irish accents but it’s very subtle. It seems quite popular to me.

Sophie - it’s very nice. And less overused than Sophia.

Summer - no. It used to be original now overused and naff, and when combined with Rose or Storm.. just don’t. even. think. about it.

Alexine - It’s OK but as long as you are happy w Alex as a nn

Sarah - it seemed to disappear completely, but have heard of a couple of baby Sarahs lately, presumably as part of the biblical trend. It’s a solid name.

I’d go for Aisling actually (or better Aislinn), but failing that Sophie - so Aisling Sophie or Sophie Niamh

OliviaFlaversham · 12/11/2022 18:52

Love Sarah! A classic yet rarely heard on under 30s

If not Sarah, I’d choose Summer. Summer feels such a happy name.

Hidingawaytoday · 12/11/2022 18:50

caitlinrose · 12/11/2022 18:09

No, I'd say neev. I just saw that nee-ev exists too when I googled it.

Is Niamh out of fashion already would you say?

Just wondering because I had a look at the statistics and it seems to be falling rather quickly...

Just seen this post - who cares if it's out of fashion? It's a lovely name so if you like it... use it!

doublewater · 12/11/2022 18:48

Sarah is classy and underused with Little's one. I'd go for that.

Hidingawaytoday · 12/11/2022 18:48

Love Niamh and Sophie but not keen on the others. Also English and think Niamh is common enough now not to be mispronounced (not that I know any!)

Nadal · 12/11/2022 18:42

Go with Summer.

Jarofhoney · 12/11/2022 18:38

I actually like Summer, but I think mumsnet hates it. I know a Summer, and it's one of those names you remember because you don't hear it often (in my area anyway).

getoutof · 12/11/2022 18:37

Niamh is the only one I like. I think it is beautiful and not out of fashion exactly just used less

Spanielsarepainless · 12/11/2022 18:33

I like them all except Alexine, which sounds like a make of plastic chair.
Sarah Niamh is beautiful.

KirstenBlest · 12/11/2022 18:27

Niamh* - Nee-uv. OK but blends into all the Eve/Evie/Eva/Ava trend, so a No from me.
Sophie* - I've always liked it but Sophia is too popular
Summer - No
Alexine* - Alexis is nicer, Alexine seems made up and souns like a leg scene
Sarah - I know too many

midsomermurderess · 12/11/2022 18:16

It’s not really ‘ev’, it’s a very soft ‘uhv’ sound, nee uhv but very soft.

Original poster
caitlinrose · 12/11/2022 18:09

No, I'd say neev. I just saw that nee-ev exists too when I googled it.

Is Niamh out of fashion already would you say?

Just wondering because I had a look at the statistics and it seems to be falling rather quickly...

OP posts:
womanofthemoon · 12/11/2022 17:23

Niamh, it’s a beautiful name

Fetacinno81 · 12/11/2022 17:23

Love Niamh and Summer.

Never heard of Alexine but I love an unusual name so I'd go for it 😄

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