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thread: Opinions on my names please :)

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Jun 2009
    134

    Opinions on my names please :)

    Ok well we have locked in our girl name - Niamh Adrienne

    Niamh being pronounced Neve - we want to use the traditional Irish spelling as DH is Irish and I have never seen it spelled Neve, although I'm sure some people do. Question is do you recognise the spelling or does it need to be explained first? Adrienne is a family name that I want to use.

    Boy names. Well that is a bit harder. I like Seamus what do you think of that? Otherwise I have always loved Kieran but DH hates it so that is out. Any ideas? Name can't be a really popular name or something made up or with a made up spelling (just personal preference, no offense intended).

    TIA

  2. #2
    Registered User
    Add Aimz on Facebook

    Mar 2008
    In the darkroom
    2,208

    If I was reading it, I would pronounce it Ny-ee-ma (which I think is equally as pretty) but I have never seen it pronounced Neve. I think that it would be one of those confusing names that would need to constantly be spelt and explained in a lot of situations (IMHO). Neve as it is spelt is so pretty.

    My cousin is named Seamus and I think it is a great, strong name for a boy.

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Jun 2009
    In a cottage in a wood
    760

    Niamh is beautiful, I have a friend called Niamh and she loves her name, although didnt when she was younger as it was too 'hard' to explain. I think it's so beautiful!!!

    I like Seamus. I like Padraig as well, and Eoghan (to go with Irish thing you've got going)

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Nov 2007
    Country Vic - West of Ballarat
    1,568

    I think only people with an Irish heritage understand Niamh is pronounced Neve.

    I wanted all my kids to have Irish names - hence DD being Tara and DS2 is Liam, we had Cale originally for DS1 but then DH went off it and I couldn't find another short Irish name we liked so went for Rhys instead (which is Welsh) but it is still Celtic but his middle name is Patrick so the Irish name carries on in his middle name.

    Irish names can be so hard as most people get confused by the pronounciation, but I love tham anyway.

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Jan 2010
    1,975

    There is a Niamh in my daughter's class, so I did know how to pronounce it and I think it is very pretty. I do think it is a name she would have to correct for the rest of her life! It's not Irish (I don't think!) but what about Eve? I really like that name.

    Love Seamus, but I'm with your DH on Kieran!

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Jul 2005
    Sydney
    7,896

    We have some Irish friends with three Irish-named boys and DD had an Irish preschool friend called Saiorse, so Niamh with it's correct pronunciation is a name we know (and love!). One of our swim school buddies just named their new DD that too. People will learn and I don't think it's that unknown.

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Sep 2005
    In the middle of nowhere
    9,362

    I have a fiend with a Niamh, and I love it, but DH had never heard of it.

    Seamus is quite cool. I like it.

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Feb 2006
    NSW Central Coast
    5,301

    I love the name Niamh, but think she would be explaining how to say it alot. I know how to pronounce it, but alot wouldn't. Adrienne is pretty too. Honestly, I don't like Seamus much, but do like Kieran.

    Other names:

    Liam
    Aidan (Aodhan)
    Brendan (Breandán)
    Declan (Deaglán)

    Bridget, Brigid (BrÃ*d, BrÃ*de)
    Kathleen (CaitlÃ*n)
    Alby (Ailbe)


    ETA, Jen, how do you pronounce Saiorse?
    Last edited by MrsFabuloso; August 8th, 2011 at 06:15 PM.

  9. #9
    Registered User
    Add NaeNae on Facebook

    Sep 2007
    South Gippsland
    3,753

    I NEVER knew Niamh was pronounced Neve. There is a BB member with that name and I have always thought it was beautiful but I thought you said Ny-Am - Ah and liked it coz it was soo different ...... don't shoot me Niamh

    I love Neve as it is too x x

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Jan 2009
    pakenham, victoria
    3,660

    well there u go, i always though it was knee-arm lmao. glad im not a school teacher or anything!

  11. #11
    Registered User

    Jul 2009
    2,251

    I love Seamus, it's cool. What about Cohen?

  12. #12
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Jan 2006
    11,633

    oh, I thought most people would be familiar with Niamh.
    seamus is good! Nathaniel is probably my top boy name, but I hae a hard time thinking of boy's names

  13. #13
    Registered User

    Jul 2005
    Sydney
    7,896

    ETA, Jen, how do you pronounce Saiorse?
    It's Se-ar-sha, sort of.

    The other Irish names of kids we know are Ruiary (the Irish version of Rory), Sean, Seamus, Daragh, Niamh, Siobhan and Connor.
    Last edited by Jennifer13; August 9th, 2011 at 07:42 AM.

  14. #14
    Registered User
    Follow Pandora On Twitter

    Jan 2005
    cowtown
    8,276

    I love Seamus I wanted that for DS1

    Eamonn is my favourite
    Niall is nice
    Coghan
    Declan

  15. #15
    Registered User

    Dec 2008
    8,986

    ETA, Jen, how do you pronounce Saiorse?
    DD goes to school with a Saiorse, they pronounce it See-sha.

  16. #16
    Registered User

    Jan 2009
    1,488

    A friend has a daughter named Niamh, so I am now aware of how to pronounce it. Unfortunately, a lot of people don't. And that is understandable - if a name is unfamiliar, we try to pronounce it phonetically. I have often heard it mis-pronounced as Niam (rhymes with Liam).

    The other problem is, that people never know how to spell her name either.
    But it is such a personal decision- only you can make it. Her friends and teachers will learn how to pronounce and spell it.

  17. #17
    Registered User

    Jun 2009
    134

    Thanks for thoughts and suggestions guys. I'm so sure it's a boy though (no idea why) - some good alternative suggestions there thanks

  18. #18
    Registered User

    Jul 2004
    Perth
    1,864

    Beautiful spelling, love how it looks. But i look at it and wonder how is it pronounced? and my attempt at pronouncing it would be NY EE MA or NY EE M.

    I think alot of people would have issues pronouncing it, especially when shes waiting for appointments. Sorry, im not usually critical, but i do think it would cause issues unless you come across people with irish heritage that know.

    If you love it though, i dont think anyone should ever let anyones opinions stop them

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