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Help[Opinions] How would you pronounce this?
Niamh -- it's my middle name. It's Irish, because I am too, but it really confuses people on how to pronounce it. And when I explain it, they just kinda look at me blankly. The real pronounciation is NEEV. What comes to mind for you guys? Do you like it or is it too bizarre? Please tell me!
--Kit
--Kit
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Gorgeous name, I love it! If people look at you blankly, it's because they don't understand that Gaelic spelling has some different pronounciations to English. I have yet to hear it here (US) but I know it's popular in Ireland.
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I would pronounce it as NEEV. It is my duty as a name nerd to know these things. ;-) It's a lovely name by the way.
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~~Counting down the days until I go to Spain~~
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~~Counting down the days until I go to Spain~~
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little_kit, I'm sorry if I have wasted your time or anyone else's. I think it's a lovely name, by the way. Folks around me don't know how to pronounce my mn (Angele) either, so I know how you feel.
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What do you mean, wasted my time? It's fine, don't feel bad at all. (P.S. Angele is gorgeous!)
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I like Niamh where I live its one of the most reckonisable irish names as it is becoming quite popular
So even if I were not a namenerd I would know the correct pronounciation is Neev
I live in England by the way
So even if I were not a namenerd I would know the correct pronounciation is Neev
I live in England by the way
This message was edited 3/14/2006, 1:39 PM
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If I had a little girl tomorrow, she would be Niamh. :-)
This is my all time favorite girl's name. I would pronounce it "neev."
This is my all time favorite girl's name. I would pronounce it "neev."
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Really? Your all-time favorite! I feel so special! ;) You rock!
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I know how it's pronounced but only because I'm a name freak and I've only known Niamh's pronunciation for about six years or so. It has a lovely sound as do many Irish names, but those spellings can be hard to work with sometimes. I *love* traditional spellings, but then again, I'd want everyone to be able to recognize my child name.
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Yeah, that's exactly how I feel. Being Irish, I would want my daughter to have a name that expresses her heritage (unlike mine!) but I don't want her to always have it being mispronounced.
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The majority of the users on this site know how to pronounce
Niamh. You might want to post this question on another site that is used strictly for parents wanting opinions on baby names.
Niamh. You might want to post this question on another site that is used strictly for parents wanting opinions on baby names.
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Says you
I live outside Houston, nowhere near Ireland. I am a long-time nomophile and I know a LOT of names, but I have never seen or heard of this name and would not have had the first clue how to pronounce it. Celtic and Gaelic names as unusual as this are even more rare in the US. If Eden had not asked how to pronounce it I would never have come in contact with it. Do the Swedes, the Finns, the Brazilians know this name? Don't presume to speak for "the majority," thank you very much.
I live outside Houston, nowhere near Ireland. I am a long-time nomophile and I know a LOT of names, but I have never seen or heard of this name and would not have had the first clue how to pronounce it. Celtic and Gaelic names as unusual as this are even more rare in the US. If Eden had not asked how to pronounce it I would never have come in contact with it. Do the Swedes, the Finns, the Brazilians know this name? Don't presume to speak for "the majority," thank you very much.
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Huh?
Are you confused, or am I? I'm Eden. Is the OP's name Eden, as well.
I stand by what I said, most people on this site know the pronunciation of this name. I say this from my experience of the countless number of times the name has been mentioned on this site. I'm speaking for no one other than myself.
Are you confused, or am I? I'm Eden. Is the OP's name Eden, as well.
I stand by what I said, most people on this site know the pronunciation of this name. I say this from my experience of the countless number of times the name has been mentioned on this site. I'm speaking for no one other than myself.
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no, my bad
Quite right, I used your name when I meant little_kit.
I am very new to this board, obviously. I don't expect anyone to know anything about me, and likewise I know nothing about anyone else. I have no idea who's been here for years or minutes. Before today, for all I knew, you might have found this site five minutes before I did.
I perceived your suggestion to little_kit that her question would be better suited to another board as rather snobbish, since I have seen quite a few other pronunciation postings go without this suggestion. I could see nothing different about hers from those, and I found it similar to my own of last week (she and I both have mn's no one else can pronounce). You saying "the majority" like that heightened my sense of that perceived snobbishness. "Majority" always implies "minority" and issues of inclusion and exclusion. As a newcomer I am trying to sort out those very issues for myself on this board.
I am the sort of person who will always leap to the defense of the little guy, and root for the underdog. That is how I perceived that situation. Clearly that was a wrong impression. I apologize for taking a harsh tone with my initial response, though I didn't intend for it to come across quite as sharply as it did. But then I found myself taking fire from all sides. I know I cannot possibly be the only person posting on this board who 1) is unfamiliar with Niamh; 2) does not like for other people to presume to speak for me; and 3) has a quick temper and a big mouth. Or keyboard. So I leaped in with both feet.
I did come away with the distinct impression that there are a great many people posting from the UK here. That's terrific. Always glad to hear from friends across the pond. But I have the impression - wrong? - that there are also plenty of people from lots of other places, not just English (or Gaelic) speaking countries, and I was thinking of them, too.
Quite right, I used your name when I meant little_kit.
I am very new to this board, obviously. I don't expect anyone to know anything about me, and likewise I know nothing about anyone else. I have no idea who's been here for years or minutes. Before today, for all I knew, you might have found this site five minutes before I did.
I perceived your suggestion to little_kit that her question would be better suited to another board as rather snobbish, since I have seen quite a few other pronunciation postings go without this suggestion. I could see nothing different about hers from those, and I found it similar to my own of last week (she and I both have mn's no one else can pronounce). You saying "the majority" like that heightened my sense of that perceived snobbishness. "Majority" always implies "minority" and issues of inclusion and exclusion. As a newcomer I am trying to sort out those very issues for myself on this board.
I am the sort of person who will always leap to the defense of the little guy, and root for the underdog. That is how I perceived that situation. Clearly that was a wrong impression. I apologize for taking a harsh tone with my initial response, though I didn't intend for it to come across quite as sharply as it did. But then I found myself taking fire from all sides. I know I cannot possibly be the only person posting on this board who 1) is unfamiliar with Niamh; 2) does not like for other people to presume to speak for me; and 3) has a quick temper and a big mouth. Or keyboard. So I leaped in with both feet.
I did come away with the distinct impression that there are a great many people posting from the UK here. That's terrific. Always glad to hear from friends across the pond. But I have the impression - wrong? - that there are also plenty of people from lots of other places, not just English (or Gaelic) speaking countries, and I was thinking of them, too.
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I've no doubt
we would get along quite well.
You're right...I failed to include newcomers in my thoughts on Niamh. I do apologize for that. It seems lately so many people make one or two posts and then vanish, so I tend not to count them as "board members," rightly or wrongly so.
And now I see our political leanings are similar, too. Yes, starting over is a great idea. I like you, already. :)
Eden
we would get along quite well.
You're right...I failed to include newcomers in my thoughts on Niamh. I do apologize for that. It seems lately so many people make one or two posts and then vanish, so I tend not to count them as "board members," rightly or wrongly so.
And now I see our political leanings are similar, too. Yes, starting over is a great idea. I like you, already. :)
Eden
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sneaking in one last
while DH snores. Very good then, it's mutual. If you wouldn't mind putting in a good word for me with all those others who now hate my guts, that would be shiny. :)
while DH snores. Very good then, it's mutual. If you wouldn't mind putting in a good word for me with all those others who now hate my guts, that would be shiny. :)
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Lillian I dont hate you at all, it was all a storm in a teacup both of us reacting because we felt someone else was being picked on.
It is difficult sometimes to read the true meaning of messages on these boards especially if we dont know the writing style of the person posting. So much of human communication is to do with gestures and tones of voise that misunderstandings over what people are trying to say happen a lot
I hope we can put it behind us
It is difficult sometimes to read the true meaning of messages on these boards especially if we dont know the writing style of the person posting. So much of human communication is to do with gestures and tones of voise that misunderstandings over what people are trying to say happen a lot
I hope we can put it behind us
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LOL They're sure to read these posts and love you.
You should make your way over to the Lounge, if you haven't done so already.
You should make your way over to the Lounge, if you haven't done so already.
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Shiny is always good!^_^
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Says most of the regulars actually, Eden being a long standing member of these boards knows what she is talking about when she speaks for the majority
This name has been discussed by many people over the years and the majority of us do know how its pronounced whatever country we hail from. A quick search of these boards gave 1305 matches for Niamh.
Where I live it is one of the more popular irish names along with Siobhan and Sinead
Just because you have never heard of it dont presume to assume we havent
As for your other post mentioning Cree and Navajo names, Eden was only talking about people on these boards when she spoke for the Majority and I am sure that if an individual Cree or Navajo name was mentioned as often as Niamh we would remember how to pronouce it too
This name has been discussed by many people over the years and the majority of us do know how its pronounced whatever country we hail from. A quick search of these boards gave 1305 matches for Niamh.
Where I live it is one of the more popular irish names along with Siobhan and Sinead
Just because you have never heard of it dont presume to assume we havent
As for your other post mentioning Cree and Navajo names, Eden was only talking about people on these boards when she spoke for the Majority and I am sure that if an individual Cree or Navajo name was mentioned as often as Niamh we would remember how to pronouce it too
This message was edited 3/14/2006, 2:04 PM
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Nonetheless
little_kit's question was a perfectly legitimate one for this board's intended purpose as I understand it. And I never said I assumed that few people on this board knew it; I challenged first that her question was inappropriate and second that many people in the States know how to pronounce it. Several of the responses little_kit got conceded that this name might be mispronounced "ny-amh" or "nee-amh," lending credence to my feeling that there could be confusion. What I really took issue with was the clear attitude that this is a name nerd clique into which little_kit's question, and evidently my response, is intruding. I may be new around here, but that doesn't mean I don't know what I'm talking about when it comes to the real world, this board aside. I don't get that cliquish feeling from very many posts, but if that's the case - and you seem as willing as Eden to speak for your "majority" - then this whole board can piss in the wind without me. Enjoy the rest of your majority life.
little_kit's question was a perfectly legitimate one for this board's intended purpose as I understand it. And I never said I assumed that few people on this board knew it; I challenged first that her question was inappropriate and second that many people in the States know how to pronounce it. Several of the responses little_kit got conceded that this name might be mispronounced "ny-amh" or "nee-amh," lending credence to my feeling that there could be confusion. What I really took issue with was the clear attitude that this is a name nerd clique into which little_kit's question, and evidently my response, is intruding. I may be new around here, but that doesn't mean I don't know what I'm talking about when it comes to the real world, this board aside. I don't get that cliquish feeling from very many posts, but if that's the case - and you seem as willing as Eden to speak for your "majority" - then this whole board can piss in the wind without me. Enjoy the rest of your majority life.
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I'm fine pissing without you.
I never said she shouldn't ask the question here. I suggested she ask it at a baby name board where the majority probably wouldn't know the pronunciation, as opposed to the majority here.
Editing to add: I'm very sorry you read my tone wrong. I had absolutely no intention on driving anyone away...you, or the OP.
I never said she shouldn't ask the question here. I suggested she ask it at a baby name board where the majority probably wouldn't know the pronunciation, as opposed to the majority here.
Editing to add: I'm very sorry you read my tone wrong. I had absolutely no intention on driving anyone away...you, or the OP.
This message was edited 3/14/2006, 8:07 PM
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Edens post was no way as hostile as yours was, nowhere in her message did she say that little_kit's question was inappropriate she was simply pointing out that on an Etymology site like this, we know how to pronounce the name that little_kit's was asking about,It even has the pronounciation in the link, she was suggesting that if the original poster wanted to educate others about her name she should go to other sites where the information wasnt so easily available. ie Baby name sites where the name pronounciations and at times meanings are absent
Edited to try to make it a little clearer what I was attempting to explain
Edited to try to make it a little clearer what I was attempting to explain
This message was edited 3/14/2006, 3:18 PM
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Not hostile, surprised
to hear anyone speak for "the majority" on what I had previously perceived as a very heterogeneous mix of people. Evidently this is more of a clique, so you're right, I'm wrong, it's your party. Whatever.
to hear anyone speak for "the majority" on what I had previously perceived as a very heterogeneous mix of people. Evidently this is more of a clique, so you're right, I'm wrong, it's your party. Whatever.
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I just feel that you took Edens comment the wrong way and blew it up out of proportion, but hey in your words. whatever
This message was edited 3/14/2006, 3:17 PM
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Niamh is a rather popular name here.
Eden is a long-time poster, and she knows that. Celtic and Gelic names are uncommon in your area in the US, but in many other places they are relatively common. I know around three Niahm. I also think that Eden CAN speak for the majority - as she's been here for a long time, knows the tastes of th eboards, and also knows what names are familiar here.
Eden is a long-time poster, and she knows that. Celtic and Gelic names are uncommon in your area in the US, but in many other places they are relatively common. I know around three Niahm. I also think that Eden CAN speak for the majority - as she's been here for a long time, knows the tastes of th eboards, and also knows what names are familiar here.
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It's not at all bizarre to me. It's exceedingly popular where I live (Scotland), but I'm sure it's getting better-known in the States as well, as part of the Irish trend.
_____________________________________________________________________
♥Elinor♥
_____________________________________________________________________
♥Elinor♥
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If I've never seen it before I would probably pronounce it as "NEE-am" (sort of rhyming with Liam). But being a name nerd, I know it is pronounced as Neev.
But I would probably ask how it is pronounced, b/c English pronounciations (and even more Irish ones) are often tricky for us foreigners.
But I thought people in USA would know by now, since Irish names are so popular. Or maybe you live in a small town with few Irish immigrants?
I like the name itself and I like the authentic Irish spelling Niamh too.
"But it’s all right now.
I learned my lesson well.
You see you can’t please everyone
So you got to please yourself."
Rick Nelson, GardenParty
"It does not become me to make myself smaller than I am." (Edith Södergran 1891-1923)
But I would probably ask how it is pronounced, b/c English pronounciations (and even more Irish ones) are often tricky for us foreigners.
But I thought people in USA would know by now, since Irish names are so popular. Or maybe you live in a small town with few Irish immigrants?
I like the name itself and I like the authentic Irish spelling Niamh too.
"But it’s all right now.
I learned my lesson well.
You see you can’t please everyone
So you got to please yourself."
Rick Nelson, GardenParty
"It does not become me to make myself smaller than I am." (Edith Södergran 1891-1923)
This message was edited 3/14/2006, 6:17 AM
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I live in the US where there is a high concentration of people of Irish descent (myself included), but I've yet to hear it. In fact, I can't think of any time I've heard of a baby being born in this area where an Irish name with the Gaelic spelling is used. The first time I saw the names "Sinead" and "Siobhan" were in the '80s, my Irish pen pal used to tell me of friends she had with these names. I had no idea how to pronounce them. I know of "Niamh" not just from these boards but from the show "Ballykissangel" which I used to watch on PBS - there were books put out based on the series and that is where I saw the spelling "Niamh", but having heard the correct pronounciation "Neev" on the show.
Irish names like Aidan, Connor and Maeve are popular around here, along with many others. But I suspect many people are afraid to use the names with Gaelic spellings, gorgeous sounding though they are, for fear of dooming their child to a lifetime of correcting people on the spelling and pronounciation of their names.
I knew someone who was considering "Declan" but settled on Connor. I never heard of Declan until I read a Maeve Binchy book with a character by this name several years ago. I could see that one rising in popularity eventually since the it is spelled as it is pronounced.
Interesting stuff, all this is!
Irish names like Aidan, Connor and Maeve are popular around here, along with many others. But I suspect many people are afraid to use the names with Gaelic spellings, gorgeous sounding though they are, for fear of dooming their child to a lifetime of correcting people on the spelling and pronounciation of their names.
I knew someone who was considering "Declan" but settled on Connor. I never heard of Declan until I read a Maeve Binchy book with a character by this name several years ago. I could see that one rising in popularity eventually since the it is spelled as it is pronounced.
Interesting stuff, all this is!
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Yes, me too, and the obvious reason is
that spoken Gaelic bears no resemblance to the spoken English with which it largely shares a written alphabet. Much like Navajo, for example, or many other native languages throughout the Americas. And we in the Americas do not expect people in the UK to know how to pronounce them. Yes, Gaelic-origin names are becoming quite popular here, but I would lay money on Kaitlin and Brendan being HUNDREDS of TIMES more common than Niamh in the US. I would ask those individuals who chastised Eden for her question to let me know when Navajo and Cree names become familiar in Aberdeen and Dublin.
that spoken Gaelic bears no resemblance to the spoken English with which it largely shares a written alphabet. Much like Navajo, for example, or many other native languages throughout the Americas. And we in the Americas do not expect people in the UK to know how to pronounce them. Yes, Gaelic-origin names are becoming quite popular here, but I would lay money on Kaitlin and Brendan being HUNDREDS of TIMES more common than Niamh in the US. I would ask those individuals who chastised Eden for her question to let me know when Navajo and Cree names become familiar in Aberdeen and Dublin.
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Correction: little_kit, sorry
posted the original question; my bad.
posted the original question; my bad.
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While there are Irish in America
they are concentrated in several areas, not all over; this is an extraordinarily rare name in the US. Besides, like so many other ethnic groups, some Irish choose names Americans recognize so their children can get along. I know tons of Mexican immigrants who speak NO English and name their kids Justin, Tiffany, Brianna and Brian for this reason, passing up Luis and Miguel. I believe few Americans would know how to pronounce Niamh. Only a die-hard American nomophile, or someone who knows the Irish community (and that is NOT every American), would know the Gaelic pronunciation.
they are concentrated in several areas, not all over; this is an extraordinarily rare name in the US. Besides, like so many other ethnic groups, some Irish choose names Americans recognize so their children can get along. I know tons of Mexican immigrants who speak NO English and name their kids Justin, Tiffany, Brianna and Brian for this reason, passing up Luis and Miguel. I believe few Americans would know how to pronounce Niamh. Only a die-hard American nomophile, or someone who knows the Irish community (and that is NOT every American), would know the Gaelic pronunciation.
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No one said "every American" or even most Americans know how to pronounce it. Just "most" people here on this board, because "most" of us are die-hard nomophiles! :b
~Heather~
~Heather~
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No one said "every American"
You're right, no one did. What Ylva wrote was that she thought "people in USA would know by now...or maybe you live in a small town with few Irish immigrants?" She didn't say "Americans posting on this board." I was pointing out that this is not a name that is known to many, or even some Americans; only a few: nomophiles, yes, and people who know the Irish community. There are lots of major cities in America w/out many Irish immigrants. One need not be isolated in a "small town" to be unfamiliar with this name. I have no idea where Ylva is or how much she knows about American demographics. I was letting her know.
And why was little_kit wrong to post her question on this board, as Eden clearly implied? And what is it with all the "long-timers" around here that people who don't post as often as you or for as long as you are given such cold shoulders so quickly? So touchy. I have been enjoying this board very, very much, several times a day for weeks, because I only just found it. I even thought I might have made a couple of friends here. I must have been confused. Excuse me for not being here when this board was started. Now I feel maybe I'm done with it. Thanks so much for all the camaraderie and warm fuzzies. You can have that tongue back too, thanks anyway.
You're right, no one did. What Ylva wrote was that she thought "people in USA would know by now...or maybe you live in a small town with few Irish immigrants?" She didn't say "Americans posting on this board." I was pointing out that this is not a name that is known to many, or even some Americans; only a few: nomophiles, yes, and people who know the Irish community. There are lots of major cities in America w/out many Irish immigrants. One need not be isolated in a "small town" to be unfamiliar with this name. I have no idea where Ylva is or how much she knows about American demographics. I was letting her know.
And why was little_kit wrong to post her question on this board, as Eden clearly implied? And what is it with all the "long-timers" around here that people who don't post as often as you or for as long as you are given such cold shoulders so quickly? So touchy. I have been enjoying this board very, very much, several times a day for weeks, because I only just found it. I even thought I might have made a couple of friends here. I must have been confused. Excuse me for not being here when this board was started. Now I feel maybe I'm done with it. Thanks so much for all the camaraderie and warm fuzzies. You can have that tongue back too, thanks anyway.
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What? Tongue?
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emoticon :b
is a tongue, no?
is a tongue, no?
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Well, I do know to say "Neve", but, on first instincts, I want to say "Ni-ahm". If I was using it, I'd spell it Neve, personally. I know it's not a kr8tiv spellyn, but I still think a child with that name will constantly get it mis-spelled - unless they live somewhere where the spelling is well known, of course.
- Maria
Formerly known as Miss Natla
Formerly known as Miss Natla
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Yeah, that's what I was thinking too.
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I would pronounce it NEEV, but then I'm in England, where the name is not particularly uncommon. For several years I'd planned on giving this name to my second daughter (provided I have two daughters, of course!), but now I'm starting to reconsider, as I think it's getting too popular.
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Is it popular over there? That's way cool. I've never heard it outside it being my name. Of course, I'm in the middle of nowhere in the U.S. Rockies so you could guess. ;)
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I love it, it's beautiful and ethnic...just waht names should be.
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Wow, I had no idea people liked it so much! I'm estactic!
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Niamh is prodominantly pronounced 'NEEV', inside Ireland and outside, though there is another pronunciation, 'NEE-uhv' (the second syllable being quite briskly spoken). There's a cartoon character in an Irish commerical named Niamh and it's pronounced NEEV. That's the only pronunciation I've ever actually heard used. The 'NEE-uhv' pronunciation is supposedly heard in a few spots in Ireland and is not at all as popular as 'NEEV'.
I love Niamh. I think it's a beautiful name and one that I could see myself using for a future child. It's not at all bizarre.
_______________________
I love Niamh. I think it's a beautiful name and one that I could see myself using for a future child. It's not at all bizarre.
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Wow, thanks! I like it too, and, well, I thought everyone else would think it's bizarre.
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Yeah I say NEEV too. I find it cool that whenever I see Niamh I do think NEEV. And for some reason I always knew it was pronounced NEEV, and it's a very gorgeous name! Yesterday I wrote it on a piece of paper and got my mate to pronounce it, and she pronounced it wrong hehe, that was so typical!
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Thanks! I didn't think anyone would like it!
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Nia-mah
Ned Flat: Why are you acting like this?
Yakko: We're not acting. We really are like this.
---
Dracula: I am Count Dracula!
Yakko: Didn't you use to teach math on Sesame Street?
---
Yakko: Well it's that time again!
Dot: To make fun of the Disney Channel?
Ned Flat: Why are you acting like this?
Yakko: We're not acting. We really are like this.
---
Dracula: I am Count Dracula!
Yakko: Didn't you use to teach math on Sesame Street?
---
Yakko: Well it's that time again!
Dot: To make fun of the Disney Channel?
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That's really pretty! I like that pronounciation! ;)
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Well a bunch of name nerds are going to know...
Here in the U.S. where I am I don't think many people would have a clue how to say that right. Gaelic names are very contrary to what people are used to, so it's hard.
If you're in Europe somewhere, or Australia, I think the name is a lot more common in those places. I would expect more people would recognize how to say it correctly.
Here in the U.S. where I am I don't think many people would have a clue how to say that right. Gaelic names are very contrary to what people are used to, so it's hard.
If you're in Europe somewhere, or Australia, I think the name is a lot more common in those places. I would expect more people would recognize how to say it correctly.
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Actually I am in the US! In the middle of a little valley in the Rockies, to top it off.
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I would say NEEV, since that's the proper pronunciation--I've known as much for ages. If I'd never seen it before, I wouldn't presume to guess the pronunciation. I'd ask.
Array
No one's getting smarter
No one's learning the score
Your never ending spree of death and violence and hate
Is gonna tie your own rope
...
I'd like to leave the world as a better place.
Array
No one's learning the score
Your never ending spree of death and violence and hate
Is gonna tie your own rope
...
I'd like to leave the world as a better place.
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