The name we've chosen for our little girl is pronounced NEEV. I want to spell it Niamh which is the traditional Irish spelling, but my husband wants either Neive or Neve. What do you think?
2007-09-14 04:05:48 · 32 answers · asked by Heavenly Advocate 6 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Baby Names
Stick with the traditional spelling. Niamh is so easy to pronounce, it will be simple to remember once someone knows it. Sure, she may encounter some who are not familiar with the spelling, but people will learn it. It's a beautiful Irish name and is not that uncommon, I think you'll be surprised at how many people will know how to pronounce it.
If you do decide to change the spelling, I hope you stick with Neve. It's the most phonetically correct and doesn't look madeup.
Great name choice, good luck to your family :)
2007-09-14 06:18:02 · answer #1 · answered by Verity 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As someone who has a name that is pronounced different than it is spelled, I would would suggest spelling it Neive. It's very pretty and she won't have to be correcting people ALL the time.
I have to correct people about 50% of the time, but she would probably have to correct people 95% of the time. And it's just not school....when you get called in to the doctor and the nurse is standing there looking at your name, feeling foolish cause she can't pronounce it, and you sitting there knowing you must be next cause that's what everyone does when it's your "turn", she calls your name, asks if she pronounced it correctly, you say no and tell her the correct pronunciation, she looks at the spelling, can't believe it, etc. It gets old really fast. Sometimes I don't even correct people. Sure, it can be a great conversation starter, but seriously, it gets TIRING!!!!
2007-09-14 04:23:47 · answer #2 · answered by aliyasmom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nobody can spell or pronounce my last name - it is only 6 letters long and 2 sylabals...but I must say it is very annoying to constantly be correcting people and after a while just giving up and letting people butcher my last name. I just don't think I would ever do this to a child on purpose with a first name. Last names can't be helped. But at least with a first name you could do a spelling that is closely related to how it should be pronounced.
I can understand wanting to use the traditional Irish spelling but maybe as a middle name - that could be used at home and have a first name for school that is easier. Just a thought.
2007-09-14 04:20:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I love the name Niamh. It is beautiful and unique.
If you are irish or of irish descent, then use the traditional spelling. Like Sean and Siobhan, people will learn to pronounce her name properly with time, especially as the name is becoming more common.
If you are not of irish descent, or the heritage is not that important to you, then use the spelling Neive, which is easier in the long run.
Good luck with your perfect name and your lovely baby!
2007-09-14 04:29:52 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a pretty name, but I think the traditional spelling will throw people off and you, & her when she gets older, will be constantly correcting people. I like Neve the best but Neive is ok too.
2007-09-14 04:15:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would not not spell it Niamh because I don't see how that could be pronounced like 'Neev' so she would absolutely be correcting others all the time.
I prefer the spelling as Neive or Neave.
2007-09-14 04:12:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I like the Irish way of spelling-BUT most people that are not Irish will not be able to pronounce her name with just the spelling...so, with that being said I would choose Neive for the spelling.
2007-09-14 04:11:02 · answer #7 · answered by Edith 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't spell it the irish way. It will be tough for her forever, having to make sure it is spelled and pronounced correctly.
I like Neve. Or Nieve. Neive could be mispronounced as "Nave".
But Neve is best, I think. Pretty name!
2007-09-14 04:16:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
WOW Niamh looks nothing like NEEV so you will have all kinds of people pronouncing her name ni-ya-ma. That's what I would think it was. I like the ideo of sticking to the traditional but in this case since not a lot of people will know what is right I would choose the spelling that looks like what it is.
2007-09-14 04:15:24 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Niamh might confuse people on how to say it, I would spell it like Neive or neeve or Neehv Or Knieve
2007-09-14 04:11:08 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋