Is ‘Neev’ a nice name for a baby boy

[sonta8]

Hi,

We are expecting a baby boy soon and I have been researching names. We are from India and we want to name the baby something that is derived from one of the Indian languages. And at the same time easy to pronounce for people in UK.

I love the name ‘Neev’. It’s a boys name in our culture and means foundation. But on research found that it sounds similar to the Irish girl’s name Niamh. So two questions:

1. What do you think of the name? You think it’s easy to pronounce?
2. Will he get bullied for a name that’s also an Irish girls name? I want to believe kids have moved forward from bullying people on gender identify and attributes in this world where people can be gender fluid. But just want to be sure that I am not creating a problem for him in school etc.

My first thought is the girls name Niamh, but if your son had a surname that was also clearly from Indian heritage I don't think I'd think twice about it.
Very simple to pronounce - I'd imagine he'd have to spell it constantly but it's short and simple.

I really like it. I think it's pretty straightforward to know how to say it and wouldn't associate it with any other name.

Did you even read the OP?
She clearly says it's a boys name in her culture and what the meaning is - why are you asking if she's made it up?

What is this with nicknames? Why don’t you give your kid a name and call them it?

When I saw the title of the post I thought “but that’s an Irish girls name”

No sorry I missed the bit where she says it's a name in her culture. I apologise.

@Viviennemary did you even read the OP's post?

People may think it’s girl’s name.

I initially thought that you didn’t know how to spell Niamh properly.

Then I remembered that I was familiar with the name - Nev Schulman presents a programme called Catfish on MTV and his name is pronounced Neev

Is that how it’s spelt?
With the cultural reference it’s quite nice but if your are planning to live in the uk be prepared for it to be thought very unusual. Most people here will recognise it as a girls name. I would probably try and pick something that translates better into to country he will grow up in.

Nev, pronounced Neev, is also a Jewish boy’s name isn’t it? Like the guy from Catfish (anyone else remember that show??). I have to say I thought of that first and the Irish girl’s name second.

Unusual in UK but a cool name.

@Whatevershallidowithmylife @Viviennemary It’s an Indian name. People tend to butcher long Indian names and always pronounce it wrong. So, want an easier name as well to pronounce. I don’t imagine someone here will be able to pronounce a name like “Ajinkya”.

@sonta8 it does sound like the girls name but I like it and think it works and easy to pronounce in the uk from how it’s written so covers all bases

I think if you are very clearly naming him because of your culture (so he'll have an Indian surname and / or obviously Indian ethnicity), it's fine. More than fine in fact - it's a lovely name.

If he's white British with the surname Jones because the link to your heritage is distant, then I think ignorant people would unfortunately assume that you've made the name up / wanted to have a girl called Niamh etc.

From the OP: It’s a boys name in our culture and means foundation.

Very rude to dismiss all names you don't know as 'made up', especially if you have narrow knowledge.

I mean it’s being spelt in English but it’s a Hindi name. But yea most people in India would spell it like this.

A lovely name. Easy to pronounce in the UK.

Yea - he will have a very Indian surname and both my husband and I are from India😊

His name is Yaniv. Nev is just how he likes to be known.

I agree with @ihatevinted

My first thought on seeing the title was 'They don't know how to spell Niamh'. My second thought was 'Oh wait, maybe it's another non-English name'.

Assuming it's pronounced 'N-eve' and your son is clearly of Indian origin, I don't think anyone will think twice.

I don't know a lot about what kids get bullied for at school but my expectation is that a desi boy called Neev is not going to be confused for an Irish girl except perhaps if people see the first name written down by itself.

I'll admit I'm a massive snob about made-up names/made up spellings so when I saw your thread title I thought "no" . When I read your post I thought "yes". That's my bias.

But if your preference is for something else (eg Ajinkya?) And you're worried about pronunciation, maybe try some of those out here? Is Ajinkya pronounced phonetically?

I think it is nice. I don't think the fact it sounds like Niamh matters, that is just how it goes when different names from different cultures end up in the same place.