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Original poster

What do you think of when you hear Niall?

59 replies

Nightstar · 21/12/2010 22:15

I can't decide if i love it or not.

I think it's Irish, which is nice, and pronounced Nile rather than Neil, which would be the English version, which i'm not fond of.

Thoughts?

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AllieW · 21/12/2010 22:38

It sounds quite posh to me. Very similar to the name of Frasier's brother in the US sitcom so that's probably why.

I have a horrible feeling people would crack silly jokes about being "in denial" and things. Not sure. I think he'd have to be very cool to be able to pull off a name like that.

cece · 21/12/2010 22:42

I always think it is quite a smily name although I would only use it if there was some irish ancestery, as I think it is Irish ...

PressureDrop · 21/12/2010 22:45

middle aged Irish bloke. Ginger.

ScarlettWalking · 21/12/2010 22:46

It's an Irish name prn Nile- would only use if you were Irish tbh

festivefriedawhingesagain · 21/12/2010 22:47

Niall Quinn - footballer IIRC wiki

Doesn't thrill me but could do a lot worseSmile

Original poster
Nightstar · 21/12/2010 22:47

Yes there is, my husbands family is from Northern Ireland, though he was born here.

My mothers side are from Wales, though I'm English by birth too. So we are quite fond of Celtic names

OP posts:
panettoinydog · 21/12/2010 23:05

Irish, a pride in roots. Quite like it.

suzikettles · 21/12/2010 23:06

I know quite a few. Some nice, some not so nice. None children, all the Nialls I know are in their 30s.

I like it as a name.

ChrisTingles · 21/12/2010 23:07

Reminds me of a boy I snogged met at the Irish Club when I was 11

Blackletterday · 21/12/2010 23:09

A big bloke I used to work with in a Hospital, oddly he used to walk miles and miles to work. Nice enough, solid, stoic.

florilegia · 21/12/2010 23:12

You can pronounce it "Neil" too: it's my uncle's name (Scottish, Gaelic-speaking family). I quite like it :)

KenDoddsDadsDogEatsTinsel · 22/12/2010 06:28

The most fabulous man on earth Niall Quinn.
I'm in Sunderland so lots of little Nialls here.

happysunshinedays · 22/12/2010 08:27

Niall off Frasier.

LunarSeasonsGreetings · 22/12/2010 08:33

Irish, but traditional (and managable for non Irish speakers) rather than trendy Irish.

Secretwishescometrue · 22/12/2010 09:04

When I think of the name Niall I remember the cutest blonde haired blue eyed dimpled ikle boy who I went to small school with and by gosh he was a charmer and yep we're Irish Grin Neil pronounced like kneel would be the gaelic version as far as I know, I always thought it was anyways... Lovely name imo

RamblingRosa · 22/12/2010 09:06

I like it.

Komondor · 22/12/2010 10:12

I love it.

stuffedmk · 24/12/2010 13:00

My nephew lol
When first told his name I did think of Niles from Frasier but that didn't last.

DilysPrice · 24/12/2010 13:04

I know a Niall who's great, I really like it, esp given that your DH is from N Ireland, (I get all judgey about random ethnic names).

harvalp · 24/12/2010 14:06

Irish.

harvalp · 24/12/2010 14:07

And I would pronounce it Nye-al

ShoshanaBlue · 25/12/2010 02:56

Great name - I would immediately think of Niall Quinn.

bunnymother · 25/12/2010 04:10

Niall Ferguson

threefeethighandrising · 25/12/2010 23:01

I love it. I smile and think of my friend Niall when I hear it. He is the singularly most outrageous person I have met in my life, he gets away with blue murder - probably because he's very charming and a lovely guy with it.