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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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Carrie06 · 25/12/2010 23:08

The guy in Frasier is Niles, not Niall. Niall is fairly common in Ireland - I think it's nice.

expatinscotland · 26/12/2010 00:31

I think of an Irish person. But I am in the Scottish Western Highlands and in the past year, we have had a number of Irish men come through here to work as they were awarded a contract, so there are more than a few about.

So I would think it was one from Ireland or from the lower Western Isles, where I have also heard or known men with such a name.

Sazisi · 26/12/2010 00:37

My nephew, a Londoner with Irish roots. He's in his teens now, don't think he's ever been teased over his name.
I love it, it's gentle yet masculine.

diddl · 26/12/2010 13:08

Like it, but prefer Niles.

swanandduck · 26/12/2010 14:48

Quite a popular, middle class name when I was growing up in Dublin. I like it because I knew a couple of really good looking Nialls when I was in school (unobtainable unfortunately Grin.

blueshoes · 26/12/2010 15:47

I have never heard of it (been in London 12 years) and will almost certainly pronounce it wrongly. All things being equal, why choose a name that does not work well outside of UK, possibly Ireland?

Niles, if you must.

MacMomo · 26/12/2010 21:31

Niall Ferguson. Brilliant economic historian. Also the accountant where I used to work was called Niall.

mathanxiety · 27/12/2010 01:48

Nial (rhyming with Dial) is the English pronunciation, NEE-ul is the Irish one.

I love it. It's a really old Irish name with a long history.

oldandgreynow · 27/12/2010 12:13

makes me think of Nialls Krane too

mathanxiety · 27/12/2010 17:24

I think that was Niles, not Nialls.

SummerRain · 27/12/2010 17:27

My first boyfriend was a Niall as is a little lad I know who'll be in school with ds2.

I quite like it, but then i live in the west of ireland where it's a commonly used name

purepurple · 27/12/2010 17:30

Niall Quinn and his disco pants, obviously.

"Niall Quinn's discopants are the best, They go up from his arse to his chest... They are better than Adam and the Ant's. Niall Quinn's Disco pants..."
ShoshanaBlue · 28/12/2010 02:23

City til I die.

Panzee · 28/12/2010 02:26

Niall Quinn (football, Ny-all) or Niall MacKenzie, (GP/Superbikes, Neil). I like it.

MrsGruffalo · 09/02/2011 09:49

My little brother is a Niall.... He was a cute kid, and is now a very clever and very cool teenager. I love it, lovely name!

glovesoflove · 09/02/2011 09:51

My wee cousin (he's about 16 now and roughly twice my height but still), who is lovely!

QuestionNumber · 09/02/2011 10:02

I like it, although I'd pronounce it Neil.

muminthesun · 09/02/2011 10:10

Our ds is Niall,we love it.People do somtimes say Neil though instead of Nile,which may annoy him when he's older.

mmmitsdelicious · 09/02/2011 10:13

I would pronounce Niall, Nile.
All the Niall's I have met are in Ireland and pronounce it Nile not Neil.

daimbardiva · 09/02/2011 20:49

It's the gaelic spelling of Neil - usually pronounced the same here in Scotland too.

londonmackem · 09/02/2011 20:54

I think it is lovely but then maybe I am just in a good mood at seeing all the Sunderland references - hello all!
I have only met nice Nialls and would pronounce it Nile

KenDoddsDadsDog · 09/02/2011 20:57

Hello londonmackem! Shame Darren Bent has scored tonight Angry

RueLaChesty · 09/02/2011 21:55

I know two but both are pronounced Neil (we're in Scotland). Before meeting them I would have pronounced it Nye-al.

I love the way it looks written down. :)

LoopyLoopsPoopaScoop · 09/02/2011 21:58

Sorry but:

To me, it sounds like an ugly, geeky man in his 40s (no wife or girlfriend) whose parents weren't sure how to spell the name they chose.

KenDoddsDadsDog · 10/02/2011 07:06

Eh? It's not a made up spelling.