Niamh or Neeva

[Moongarden]

My husband is Indian and I’m Irish and after a lot of debate have settled on either Niamh or Neeva as name for our little girl but struggling to choose as they’re quite similar and we like them both.
they both have very similar meanings as well- in Gujarati Neeva means radiant and Niamh means bright; radiant one.
She’ll have my husband’s surname which is Indian.

I think they are both lovely so you can't really get it wrong. But my leaning would be towards Niamh. As she is having an Indian surname I think it would be nice for her to have an Irish first name, so both sides of her heritage are represented.
However, I am making the assumption that you are living in Ireland or the UK where the spelling and pronunciation of Niamh is not likely to be an issue. If that isn't the case, I'd probably opt for Neeva.

I like them both but would want to get my own heritage in there if she's going to be having your husband's Indian surname.

I think that’s why I’m leaning towards Niamh…We live in London so sometimes I feel a little bit sad that our daughter won’t grow up in Ireland with my family around.
also hoping that living in London means spelling and pronunciation of Niamh won’t be much of an issue

Niamh. Neeva is too much like nevus/nevi.

Niamh to reflect both sides of heritage

Also it’s nicer

I'd go with Niamh.

It's good to get your heritage in there too.

I think it's a more classy/sophisticated sound....I'm less keen on names ending in an 'uh' sound.

Neeva sounds like Nivea.

I really like Neeva. Niamh is lovely but Neeva just sounds so pretty.

I get the argument for Niamh but for me Neeva wins.

Both pretty names though.

I prefer Niamh, I hadn’t heard of Neeva and although it is pretty I would probably assume that you were trying to make the spelling/ pronunciation of Niamh easier for non Irish people. I also like the idea of both halves of her heritage being represented.

I prefer Niamh. It’s such a pretty name.

Niamh. Pronunciation shouldn't be an issue as you say and it's a beautiful name!

I live in London and have come across a few Niamh's among my DC's friends.

Niamh - to reflect your heritage too. Beautiful name.

I love Neeva, very similar to my sisters name and i presume its pronouced the same way.

Also my sister has never been callee Nivea 🤣

I prefer Neeva 😊

Both are pretty, but at a push I'd say Niamh

If she's getting his Indian last name she can have your Irish first name! That's what I told my English DH when our son was born and he was bestowed with a lovely Irish first name lol.

Fair is fair!

Niamh - Irish first name, Indian surname!

Hi @Moongarden - firstly congratulations!

I am Indian and my husband is black (Caribbean). We named our daughter a double barrelled name (Indian-African/Caribbean) and my husbands surname.

Maybe do something like that?

If not, I'd definitely say Niamh x