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Baby names

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

Original poster

Caoimhe

78 replies

JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff · 07/04/2023 21:09

I am not pregant.

Also English 😁

But have always really loved this name. Can someone confirm that it is normally pronounced (something like) Kwee-va but can also be said Kee-va, esp in NI?

Thanks to any Irish speakers!

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user1471464218 · 07/04/2023 21:12

Yep, I'd say kee va (NI) but also hear kwee va mainly from RoI.

Skinnybluebody · 07/04/2023 21:13

My cousins name. Pronounced 'Keavy' here 😊

Jelly4444 · 07/04/2023 21:17

Either pronunciation is fine! I would say Kwee-va but Kee-va is good too.

CrotchetyCrocheting · 07/04/2023 21:18

I know a few and they are Kwee-vas, I'm in the West of Ireland.

whatthebejesus · 07/04/2023 21:19

DD has a Caoimhe in her class and it's pronounced "KEE-va "

Original poster
JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff · 07/04/2023 21:38

Thank you all 🥰

OP posts:
PaigeMatthews · 07/04/2023 21:40

The ones i know are kee va

@Skinnybluebody where are you that it is being pronounced Keavy?

miniaturepixieonacid · 07/04/2023 21:44

I've only known one, from NI, and she was Kee-va.

DirectionToPerfection · 07/04/2023 21:47

In Ireland and all the ones I've known were Kwee-va.

sunshineandmango · 07/04/2023 21:50

The one I know is pronounced Kee-va

FunnyMunny · 07/04/2023 21:56

I don't think non Irish people can pronounce the 'aoi' sound but Kee-va is closed enough.

Nailsandthesea · 07/04/2023 21:58

JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff · 07/04/2023 21:09

I am not pregant.

Also English 😁

But have always really loved this name. Can someone confirm that it is normally pronounced (something like) Kwee-va but can also be said Kee-va, esp in NI?

Thanks to any Irish speakers!

KWee - va

2chocolateoranges · 07/04/2023 22:01

I know 2 Caoimhe’s and both pronounced Kee-vay.

alittleadvicepls · 07/04/2023 22:03

Dublin here, it’s kwee-va. Absolutely obsessed with the name and would’ve loved a girl to use it!

Mittens1717 · 07/04/2023 23:09

Know lots of little Kwee- vas here in the Republic, never heard it pronounced any other way

Luredbyapomegranate · 07/04/2023 23:13

The NI one I know is KEE-vuh

Original poster
JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff · 07/04/2023 23:33

Thanks all, so looks like I was right about the different pronunciation.

Yes agree with a pp that Anglophones probably don't say the vowels quite right -I've seen that referred to as the blas - if that's right?

Glad to see I'm not the only one @alittleadvicepls although I am guessing you'd be better placed than me to use it! I have 2 girls but both English names.

I do love it though!

OP posts:
MajorCarolDanvers · 07/04/2023 23:34

Kee-vah

cocksstrideintheevening · 07/04/2023 23:36

I know a kweeva, a kweevi (odd) and several Keevas in England.

FoodieToo · 07/04/2023 23:42

Dublin here, teacher , kids in all Irish school .
Kwee- va . Never heard it as Kee-va over here .

LadyEloise1 · 07/04/2023 23:44

Dublin.
Kweeva

AnSionnachGlic · 07/04/2023 23:48

West of Ireland here, and know a few Caoibhes and it's always pronounced Kwee-va. Never heard any other pronunciation.

TooOldForThisNonsense · 07/04/2023 23:51

I have heard it both ways, my parents had neighbours where the mum was Irish and it was kweeva but when I have heard it otherwise here (Scotland) it is Keeva

I prefer Keeva pronunciation

Anoisagusaris · 07/04/2023 23:53

Dublin - in school and college in the 80’s/90’s I knew several who pronounced it Keeva. Irish names weren’t as popular then so probably more mispronounciation back then. Kwee-va seems more common nowadays. And I say Kwee-va now automatically whereas in the past I’d have used keeva.

FoodieToo · 07/04/2023 23:55

If you’re living in the UK I think people will always struggle to pronounce it . That can get annoying for a child .
My daughter is Aoibhe ( pronounced Eva ) but she says she wishes we spelled it Eva ………🙈!
And that’s living in Dublin and attending all Irish schools etc !

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