Niamh or Nancy or Claudia

[ShuttersAndMirrors]

DH is Irish so we could go for Niamh, which I love (and will go with Irish surname) but am also really drawn to Nancy. Claudia is DH's fave but I'm not mad about it, thought I would throw it in there though.

Surname is like O'Brien but less common. We aren't having a middle name.

Nancy. It's cute and feminine and different without being crazy.

Niamh is becoming very popular over here but in Ireland it's a bit dated and not one of my favourite names.

Dislike Claudia.

Niamh is a great name - classic, underused and especially great if you've Irish heritage.

Nancy is too cutesy/unfeminine and Claudia, whilst sounding nice, has an unforunate meaning (from the latin claudus = disabled/lame).

Oh I had no idea about Claudia. I think DH had a thing for La Schiffer growing up hence why he likes the name (that in itself is surely a reason to avoid!!)

Another vote for Niamh - lovely name.

The meaning of Claudia would put me off too, unfortunately. Nancy is the town of Nancy in France for me.

I've already chosen Nancy as my number one name for our next DC. We're not even TTC yet.

I love it.

Love Nancy, like Niamh.

Not a fan of Claudia at all.

Niamh - boring.

Nancy - ok

Claudia - like

Why is Claudia the ONE name that people go on about the meaning of? There are tons of names with less than pretty meanings but for some reason people fixate on Claudia.

Mary - bitter
Cameron - crooked nose
Persephone - bearer of death
Cecilia - blind

Yep.

And Ameila is the name of a birth defect. Doesn't stop it from being inexplicably popular.

I don't know what the meaning of Claudia is but it's just boring. Claude is cool!

Going against the grain it seems I love Claudia (or what about Clara?) can't stand nancy and like Niamh but not as much as Claudia!

Thank you for comments, I think Niamh is currently on top. DH's older family pronounce it Nee-uv but he says that most of the younger generation in Ireland would say Neev (which I like better and we like the idea of calling her Niamhy -Neevy- as a NN...or is that a bit silly?) Any Irish people know if he's right?

Niamh? Nee-am-h? I don't get it. How do you say that? Don't understand why anyone would give a child a name that phonetically makes no sense?

It's pronounced NEE-uv and it is phonetic in Irish.

Just as oranges aren't the only fruit, English isn't the only language.

Sorry I assumed the child would be going to school in England.

It's a pretty common name in England these days I believe. The UK is a multicultural society, classrooms are populated with all sorts of seemingly exotic names.

Sqoosh, please correct me if I am wrong, but I think Niamh means 'brightness' or 'radiance' - so it has a very happy meaning.

And Celtic legends tell of an exceptionally beautiful heroine, daughter of the god of the sea, called 'Niamh of the Golden Hair' ...

Yup, it means 'bright'. Have to admit I've never heard the title Niamh of the Golden Hair but she certainly is a prominent figure in Irish folklore.

Agree that there are now many exotic names in the UK but most are pronounced as the spelling of the word suggests. I myself would not choose a name that could disadvantage or confuse my child. (my opinion)

Well I don't see a non English name to be a 'disadvantage'. And lots of names aren't pronounced as the spelling suggests. Some Nigerian names can be tricky as first.

Also, honestly, how many kids are confused by their own name?

I hate Claudia.

Niamh is ok but too popular for me.

Nancy is lovely.

Claudia is beautiful. Niamh ok but there are nicer irish names imo. Niamh is common enough in England that must people would know it I think.

Didn't mean confused by own name. But by the sounds for the letters.

And most non English names are spelt how they sound. You point out that some Nigerian names are tricky at first which further validates my point