Keeva for a girl

[shuz1980]

Whats people's opinions on Keeva? I love Irish names and like that Keeva looks like it sounds unlike other Irish names. Whats peoples opinions?

Only with an English accent

Several people on this thread have pointed out that it is "Keeva" in their local Irish dialect.

@SoupDragon

Only with an English accent

Several people on this thread have pointed out that it is "Keeva" in their local Irish dialect.

I think PP was referring to the “beaver” part only rhyming with keeva in an English accent that doesn’t pronounce the “r” at the end.

@SoupDragon

Only with an English accent

Several people on this thread have pointed out that it is "Keeva" in their local Irish dialect.

I already knew that, thanks.

Yes, that makes sense, @LizzieAnt. I can certainly see the difference between Irish and Irish language names, maybe I'll make that clearer distinction in future! And I get that Irish people living outside of the UK can have a very strong urge to pick a name that references their background. I fully support people's right to give their child an authentic name that might be tricky for some to spell (although would hesitate with something like Lasairfhíona) but I also can see why some people might plump for an anglicised version too.

I know two Keevas, both Irish, born in Ireland to Irish parents. I've never heard anyone make a peep about 'using the right spelling' or 'anglicising names' or anything in any way critical. Is it only ok to have a go at someone using an Irish name in the 'wrong' way if they're not in Ireland?

I think PP was referring to the “beaver” part only rhyming with keeva in an English accent that doesn’t pronounce the “r” at the end.
I was, yes. I thought it was obvious 🤦‍♀️

*living in the UK, rather

But I suspect you're just saying that out of defensiveness. No offence to you on this sunny day

And you are yet again wrong. Here's a tip: ask people what they think, don't tell them. And if you do tell them what they think, try to listen when they tell you that you got it wrong.
You're making a show of yourself.

I think one of the bewitched crew is a Keeva.

@BlackAmericanoNoSugar

I know two Keevas, both Irish, born in Ireland to Irish parents. I've never heard anyone make a peep about 'using the right spelling' or 'anglicising names' or anything in any way critical. Is it only ok to have a go at someone using an Irish name in the 'wrong' way if they're not in Ireland?

Sigh. So many silly questions.

People will give strong opinions on an internet forum to strangers about a hypothetical baby, that they might not actually say to the face of a human being called that name, or their parents.

Does that actually need to be explained?

I agree with you classics. Catholic school in England. Shed load of patricks kevins Kierans Kennedys... No problems at all. But woe betide the keavas, neaves etc. The girls names are held to a different standard.

I already knew that, thanks.

Odd that you insist it should be pronounced "Qweeva" then.

@claralara42

But I suspect you're just saying that out of defensiveness. No offence to you on this sunny day

And you are yet again wrong. Here's a tip: ask people what they think, don't tell them. And if you do tell them what they think, try to listen when they tell you that you got it wrong.
You're making a show of yourself.

Okay

I don't care for Keeva, though that's partly because Caoimhe is Queev-uh in my neck of the woods, and even the other regional pronunciation feels slightly off to me.

And as someone with an Irish first name and surname, who lived in the UK for 25 years and brought up a child with an unusual Irish first name and two Irish surnames, I tend to feel that the pronunciation struggles are massively exaggerated. No, people will generally not know how to pronounce it unless told in the first instance, but that's not a catastrophe.

@SoupDragon

I already knew that, thanks.

Odd that you insist it should be pronounced "Qweeva" then.

I didn't "insist" any such thing. Give over.

This is how the first syllable of Caoimhe (ie caoi) is said in various dialects of Irish.
www.teanglann.ie/en/fuaim/caoi
It's not really the same as Kee in English. It's not said the same as the English quee (as in the word queen, for example) either. It's a difficult one unless you're familiar with Irish - I don't think the exact sound is found in the English language?

Isn't Kevin an anglicised form of Caoimhin?

And Caoimhin is said as Kweevin.

So if I named DS Kevin and said it was an irish name, it wouldn't be accurate would it.

If I wanted to call my DS Harri, I'd be accused of using a yoonique spelling even though Harri is a welsh name that was anglicised as Harry.

That's MN for you.

I am Irish living in Ireland and know a couple of girls called Keeva. They don't consider their name Irish, but a sort of modernized anglicized version of an Irish name. There is nothing wrong with the name Keeva, as long as you don't call it an Irish name.
Cara is a lovely Irish name that is easy to say and spell.

@KirstenBlest

Isn't Kevin an anglicised form of Caoimhin?

And Caoimhin is said as Kweevin.

So if I named DS Kevin and said it was an irish name, it wouldn't be accurate would it.

If I wanted to call my DS Harri, I'd be accused of using a yoonique spelling even though Harri is a welsh name that was anglicised as Harry.

That's MN for you.

It’s Caoimhín, isn’t it? KweevEEN (kind of).

There's a Premier League footballer called Caoimhín Kelleher. You'd swear some commentators found pronouncing his name as intimidating a task as being asked to explain the process behind splitting an atom. They may have improved as the season went on!

So if I named DS Kevin and said it was an irish name, it wouldn't be accurate would it.

Well I'd consider it an Irish name.

@BlackAmericanoNoSugar

I know two Keevas, both Irish, born in Ireland to Irish parents. I've never heard anyone make a peep about 'using the right spelling' or 'anglicising names' or anything in any way critical. Is it only ok to have a go at someone using an Irish name in the 'wrong' way if they're not in Ireland?

The op said that Keeva is one of the few Irish names that looks as it sounds so pp are just letting her know thats not the case. If she wants a traditional Irish name she might be disappointed if she finds out too late. Also, she asked for opinions.

I misread it as Keema, and thought of curry ... I personally wouldn't choose an anglicised spelling of an Irish name, either use the Irish or something else

As someone with a similar Irish name & the correct spelling I can assure you it's not that big a deal having to correct people. My child goes to school with lots of names I'm not familiar with, I just learn how to pronounce them. Not hard.

It just makes me think of Kiva walking sandals.