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Baby names

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

Niamh or Nancy or Claudia

36 replies

ShuttersAndMirrors · 16/01/2014 14:19

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.

OP posts:
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meringuesnowflakes33 · 16/01/2014 17:39

Niamh is a beautiful name. People spelling it wrong (like Neve Campbell) would annoy me

Nancy is short for Agnes which I would give as the birth cert name, also v pretty and sophisticated

I like Claudia too just not as much

Sparklymommy · 16/01/2014 17:40

I'm in uk (England) and know several Niamhs.

Personally like both Nancy and Claudia, but would veer towards Nancy I think.

CarlaVeloso · 16/01/2014 17:43

Love Claudia. Beautiful name.

Mumsnetters are obsessed with its Latin origin!! Seriously, only on here will anyone ever mention it. In a m

squoosh · 16/01/2014 17:43

'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'

Ummm, how is your point validated?

People read a name, have no clue how to pronounce it, find out how to pronounce the name, problem solved. Imagine that, people broadening their horizons beyond John and Mary!

AnythingNotEverything · 16/01/2014 17:46

itsasmallworldisntit - you must be one of the few who struggle with the pronunciation of common Irish names in England.

I really don't think that's an issue. There are much more challenging Irish names.

CarlaVeloso · 16/01/2014 17:47

In a minute someone will trot out "perhaps I've studied too much Latin".

Rachel means sheep you know and doesn't Rebecca mean tied up or something? And Emilia/y means rival. Oh and Persephone means bringer of death!

CarlaVeloso · 16/01/2014 17:50

Anyway, Nancy puts me in mind of my very in pc father saying "Nancy-boy". Sorry. Am sure you would mix with far more enlightened people. And not loving Niamh, it doesn't compare it terms of prettiness with Claudia.

itsasmallworldisntit · 16/01/2014 18:00

I was pointing out that you acknowledged that it would be tricky at first. I wouldn't want to make understanding the English language any more difficult than necessary for a child.
I personally would find an English form of the name more appropriate. Neve for example. Aside from this I must say I not a fan of the name anyway, I posted as I thought Niamh looks very strange as have never seen it written like that. Again - just my observation and opinion and not intended to offend.

JumpingJackSprat · 16/01/2014 18:19

It is hilarious that whenever Claudia is mentioned someone always mentions the lame thing. Go out on the street and ask everyone if they know the meaning of Claudia or Amelia -etc. Nobody cares what names mean, apart from people (who spend too much time on the MN baby name board) who are obsessed with names.

Name your baby whatever you and your DH like most OP... you're the ones who have to be happy to use it every day for the rest of your life. Theres nothing in your list that would cause the child to be embarrassed.

HabitualLurker · 16/01/2014 18:26

itsasmallworldisntit clearly it's not such a small world, seeing as you've never in your life come across the name Niamh before. Hmm

Oh sod it, let's just call everyone Jane or Ann and be done with it.

OP, if your DH is Irish then it's entirely appropriate to use the Irish spelling.

BunnyLebowski · 16/01/2014 18:30

itsasmallworld you should change your name to itsasmallmind.

OP there is no problem using Niamh. Most people will have heard of it as it is a very commonly used name in England.

It's just a bit boring and dated to me as an Irish person. Like Claire or Joanne would be to an English person.

I still really love Nancy. Might pinch it for my list Grin .

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