Not an English spelling, but ...

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-08-2007
Not an English spelling, but ...
15
Mon, 06-30-2008 - 3:53pm

Hello,

Although I already have some rather firm opinions on this, I'm interested in feedback from others about using a traditional, "foreign" spelling in the United States.

My husband and I love all things Irish. Our first child is Liam Patrick; we're now expecting a girl in 6 weeks, and one of the names we like is "Niamh" (pronounced "Neeve" and often adapted to "Neve" in the US). We do NOT like the spelling "Neve", but realize there are "issues" parents and the child might have to deal with, given that the traditional spelling would be confusing to most folks in US. We feel that can be overcome and that it would not be such an "unusual" thing, particularly since more and more US residents are from other countries and have beautiful names that are "difficult" for us Americans to recognize/pronounce at first.

In any case ... I'd welcome constructive, useful feedback, particularly if anyone has had experiences - positive or negative - with a "different" name spelling.

Thank you so much!
Trish

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-11-2006
Mon, 06-30-2008 - 4:48pm
I love that name and in my neighborhood which has many irish families it is pronounced correctly.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2007
Mon, 06-30-2008 - 10:54pm

True, there will be many who do not know how to pronounce Niamh, but Irish names are becoming much more common in the US than they were even a few years ago; and Niamh seems to be one I hear more often (in name discussions - I don't know any IRL yet). So the pronunciation issue seems to be somewhat less troublesome than in the past.

I would definitely use the traditional spelling of this beautiful name, BTW! Neve will be mispronounced as NEV, like Neve Campbell. I think you'll have more pronunciation luck with the traditional spelling, actually because - since it doesn't look similar to other names people will know better - I'll bet many will just ask how to say it, rather than guessing incorrectly.

Plus, to me, anyway, Niamh is lovely, with some real cultural history to it; whereas Neve (again, to me- just a personal opinion) looks dumbed down.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-09-2005
Tue, 07-01-2008 - 10:23am

I would always be true to the name and stick to the traditional spelling.


We have Saoirse (Sear-sha) and awaiting Fidelma both beautiful Irish names but I feel they would be compromised if we changed the spelling to suite others

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-05-2006
Tue, 07-01-2008 - 10:35am

I think the name you have chosen is fabulous.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-03-2008
Wed, 07-02-2008 - 5:17pm

O.K., your first child is Liam Patrick and you want to name the second one "Niamh"?

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-02-2008
Wed, 07-02-2008 - 5:38pm
Go for it! Sure you'll have to correct people constantly but it would be worth it for such a cute name (and beautiful spelling).
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-21-2007
Wed, 07-02-2008 - 6:41pm
I'm a chicken-hearted woman who loves how most of the Irish names are pronounced but

Amber

wife to Danel

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-19-2005
Thu, 07-03-2008 - 8:24am

We are huge Irish freaks too and I LOVE Niamh.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-13-2007
Thu, 07-03-2008 - 12:18pm

I love Niamh and I think you should keep the traditional spelling.


Sure, it will be mispronounced but people will learn. It's not the end of the world.


It's a beautiful name. I say go for it.


All the best,


Christine

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-01-2003
Thu, 07-03-2008 - 2:20pm

I think the Niamh spelling will not work in the US any time in your child's lifetime - it's just too unusual and does not match up with the English language at all - she would be constantly correcting people - with there not even being a V in there, I just can't see you doing that to her


I would definitely just do Neeve if you want it pronounced with the Long E - or Neve if you want it pronounced with a short E


good luck

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