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Baby names

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

Original poster

Sienna or Niamh?

54 replies

Anon2021x · 06/03/2023 13:19

My partner and I cannot agree and these are the two names we like the most so far.

Would appreciate opinions/votes.

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Imnotachap · 06/03/2023 16:03

Niamh. Also like Eloise as a first name

Smallonesaremorejuicy · 06/03/2023 16:06

Niamh …. Sienna is awful in my opinion.

iamnottoofatiamjusttooshort · 06/03/2023 16:15

Love Niamh ! Especially with Irish connection

Original poster
Anon2021x · 06/03/2023 17:01

@IJustHadToLookHavingReadTheBook your comment made me smile when describing your goddaughter. So lovely that she adores her name!

OP posts:
daisypond · 06/03/2023 17:21

I like both names. Niamh is a very well known name outside of Ireland, and I would assume most people know how to pronounce it. I know several, but all have Irish links.

Twoinapod · 06/03/2023 18:54

Niamh had a surge a few years ago so most people know how to say it. I’m not big on either but I don’t think Sienna goes very well with Isabella, a bit of a mouthful so on that basis I’d go with Niamh

LSSG · 06/03/2023 20:22

I think Isabella and Sienna are both so recent past popular that they're at risk of becoming tedious (see also Ava, Isla, Eva, Amelia etc) And I genuinely don't dislike them separately, but wouldn't use them together in the family.

Niamh is lovely.

ourflagmeansdeath · 06/03/2023 21:17

Niamh Eloise is absolutely lovely, I have a vote for that.

Original poster
Anon2021x · 07/03/2023 06:44

Thank you all, I really appreciate the responses! Xx

OP posts:
Situaciones · 07/03/2023 07:29

I like both but would probably only go for Sienna if I had an Italian connection. Niamh is lovely because of the mythological connections too - Niamh Chinn Óir and Tír na nÓg.

Hankthehonk · 07/03/2023 07:50

Definitely Niamh! It's one of my favourites, but we probably won't use it as we don't have Irish heritage

emmathedilemma · 07/03/2023 07:52

Niamh with the traditional spelling.

user1492757084 · 07/03/2023 11:23

Both are nice names
Sienna Eloise goes well.
Niamh is well known enough now. People say it correctly.
Niamh Eloise is also nice ... other ideas ...
Niamh Ellen
Niamh Rosemary
Niamh Deirdre

DaleTremont · 07/03/2023 11:56

I’ve got a teenage Niamh. Her schools have always known how to pronounce and spell it, we’re Catholic so there have been lots of previous Niamh students with Irish heritage like us.

She does have to spell it and confirm the pronunciation in new settings, but I have a boring 70s name that was extremely common at the time that I also have to always spell due to there being two popular spellings (e.g Catherine/Katherine). And my maiden and married names aren’t common so again I’ve always had to spell my name either way. It’s no big deal and Niamh is a lovely name.

SouperWoman · 07/03/2023 11:58

Sienna is lovely. Niamh is okay but sounds too much like naive imho.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 07/03/2023 13:53

Niamh is a much nicer name to my ears.
There was a glut of them around me when DS was born. If my corner of rural W Yorks can cope with it, I'm sure others can.

Or spell it Neve? If it's not too much of a compromise.

Ellmau · 10/03/2023 00:34

I think most people know how Niamh is spelled.

Niamh Eloise is very nice.

xprincessxjanetx · 10/03/2023 01:01

Sienna

Blindsdown · 10/03/2023 08:24

Sienna.

Niamh sounds like a kitten begging for milk

Changedmymindtoday · 10/03/2023 08:38

Niamh is lovely. It’s my DD’s middle name.

It can also be pronounced Knee-iv as well as Neve

Cassiehopes · 10/03/2023 10:25

Definitely Niamh.

Niamh Eloise is beautiful.

Original poster
Anon2021x · 10/03/2023 10:51

@Blindsdown your comment really made me giggle.

Pretty sure we are going to go with Niamh 🥰 I haven't told my partner yet that I agree with him, but I've ordered a little baby grow with the name to give to him.

Hopefully we don't change our minds before she arrives!

OP posts:
Luredbyapomegranate · 10/03/2023 20:38

Niamh - I don’t think pronunciation is a massive issue as it’s got quite popular

Sienna is a bit Hello mag

MissHavishamsMouldyOldCake · 10/03/2023 23:49

Changedmymindtoday · 10/03/2023 08:38

Niamh is lovely. It’s my DD’s middle name.

It can also be pronounced Knee-iv as well as Neve

not only 'can be' but should be. there are two syllables.

Mummytobe333 · 13/03/2023 10:02

Sienna is a lovely name 💓 not keen on Niamh sorry