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.

Another question I had was - do kids still bully other kids with unisex names or names that sound feminine. Or they don’t anymore? Sounds a bit old school but I wonder if it still happens

I think it depends where you live. London, Birmingham, Manchester, absolutely fine. Small rural town, potential for being teased for having a girls name.

Good grief…. I think that it would be obvious that your child wasn’t a girl, and that you were unlikely to name him Niamh. There is a large enough Indian population in the UK that I imagine it’s not that uncommon. Stating that it’s inappropriate is like saying Johan is wrong because it sounds like Joanne. Small-minded.

I think because of your culture its a great name, but it depends where you are living. Niamh isn't actually supposed to be pronounced Neev, this is the anglicised version. Niamh is pronounced more like Nyive.

It'll be fine. The Indian surname will make it clear that it's an Indian name, not a misspelled Irish name.

Mumsnet is very weird sometimes - most people are very used to names from different cultures, especially if they live anywhere even vaguely near a big city.

The entire OP then?

I used to work with a Niamh (woman) and a Neve (man - he spelt it that way) in the same office.

It was never an issue, nobody had a problem with his name, I can’t see why they would anyway.

I think it’s a lovely name. People aren’t as backward as they used to be and take the mick out of people’s names, there are a whole range of names at my child’s school and it’s not an issue. Bullies will bully regardless of what your name is.

@Dmsandfloatydress @Tempnamechng We live in London.

Easy to pronounce and nobody will confuse with Niamh in person as he will clearly be an Indian male, or written down as the surname will indicate it’s not likely to be the Irish name.

Go for it!

Bullying still happens for anything and everything.

But simultaneously there is much wider acceptance among kids too, of different clothes/hair/names/whatever.

This is absolutely NOT true - and your ignorance is showing there…

I’m Irish and as a result think automatically of Naimh (which is a gorgeous name!)
But i know two women with sons called Neev both are Indian.
It’s a really nice and common enough name… Also easy to spell 😉

if you love it go for it @sonta8

in London in particular no one will bat an eyelid.
i mentioned it elsewhere I met a boy named Octave last week… fucking Octave!!!! 😵‍💫

Ironically the Irish name Niamh has only recently (last 10-20 years) been accepted and recognised in the UK. At least with Neev, it is spelt as it should be pronounced so there should be no difficulty.

The female Niamh is often also spelt Neve.

Scope for misspelling and people assuming it's a female name, but it's not a given.

Seriously? What a disgusting post.

What’s your name? I’m sure it sounds made up to anyone not from your culture. How bloody rude!

Did you actually read the OP or did you just dive in to be rude?

The OP clearly states it is a boys name in her culture.

" love the name ‘Neev’. It’s a boys name in our culture and means foundation. "

It's a nice name and really I don't think there will be a problem with bullying because of a name in London. I've heard much more unusual names pass without comment.

Thanks everyone for your feedback ❤

You could do Nevin said like Kevin...

RUDE! OP just said it's a name in her culture.

I like it OP. There are so many different names out there I don't think it'll stand out. Also, I only know one girl Niamh so it's not like Isabelle or something where there are loads around. Plus it does not sound 'girly' at all. It's much better than another Raffys (we have 3 out of about 25 boys in my nursery!).

Go with it.
It's easy to spell and say and should not be an issue especially in London.

Well Karan is an Indian boys name I’ve seen many times so I suppose it could be put in the same bracket as that but if he’s going to be brought up in the U.K. it’s a girl’s name here. I wouldn’t name a boy Michel if he was growing up here even though in France it’s a boys name. You do what is ultimately best for your son.

In London you can call your baby literally any name you like and no one will bat an eyelid. If you like the name then crack on! In his class there will be such a rich variety of cultures from all around the world that no one would even think about the Irish connection.

Am I the only one who just really wants to know how Ajinkya is pronounced?

This was the first thing I thought of too.

It sounds lovely to me - yes, there's is an Irish girls' name that sounds the same, but if it's spelt differently alongside an Indian surname I don't think anyone will even click.