Origin, Meaning, And History of Niamh
The name Niamh originates in Old Ireland from the word Niam, which means ‘bright’ or ‘radiant.’ It is predominantly used in English and Welsh, where it means ‘radiance’ or ‘shine,’ respectively. The name has been anglicized in various forms, such as Neve, Nieve, Neave, Beach, or Neeve.
In Irish mythology, Niamh or Niam was the lover or spouse of the poet-hero Oisin. She was the daughter of the sea God Manannán mac Lir and one of the queens of Tír na nÓg, the land of eternal youth. In the story of the Golden-haired Niamh, she was carried away to the Land of Youth and stayed there for 300 years. Niamh was also depicted as a mortal princess of Munster who eloped with Oisin and was called “Niamh of the Golden Hair.” She is often represented as a beautiful princess riding on a white horse.
Niamh was first used in modern Ireland in 1911, and variations such as Neve, Nieve, Neave, Beach, or Neeve are still used. Some adorable nicknames that can be used with this name include Evie, Nia, or Neevie. Niamh is also a surname brought over to England by William the Conqueror and was first recorded in Norfolk and Perthshire.
The name gained popularity globally in the early 1900s, particularly in Western Europe.Niamh Cassidyis a popular fictional character in the Irish soap opera “Fair City,” portrayed by Clelia Murphy. She is the former wife of the billionaire Paul Brennan and the mother of Ruth Brennan. Niamh also appears as a fictional character in the historical-fantasy novel “Son of the Shadows” by Juliet Marillier. She is golden-haired and is Red and Sorcha’s first child, named after Sorcha’s deceased mother, and is introduced in the second book of the series “Sevenwaters Trilogy.”
How To Pronounce Niamh?
Famous People With The Name Niamh
- Niamh CusackIrish actress, known for her role in the series “Heartbeat”
- Niamh AlgarIrish actress, known for her role in “The Virtues”
- Niamh Louise CharlesEnglish professional football player, who plays for the England Women’s National Football Team
- Niamh CosgraveIrish politician, known for her campaign for Hepatitis C Blood victims
- Niamh SharkeyIrish children’s author and illustrator, known for her work “Henry Hugglemonster”
Niamh On The Popularity Chart
Niamh has been a popular name according to the SSA data. Check out these graphs to learn more about its popularity and ranking.
Popularity Over Time
As shown in the graph, Niamh rose to popularity in the 1990s and continued to rise steadily, with a few slowdowns in between.
Source:Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
Although not widely used in 1980, the name Niamh has gained popularity over time, as illustrated in the graph.
Source:Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Niamh
If you like the stylish sound of Niamh, you will also like these similar-sounding names for your baby girl. Have a look!
Popular Sibling Names For Niamh
Boy Sibling Names For Niamh
Naamadhar
Naamadol
Naamahar
Naaman
Naamanand
Naambhagat
Naambir
Naamcheet
Naamchetan
Naamdarshan
Girl Sibling Names For Niamh
Naama
Naamah
Naami
Naamnirmal
Naamseetal
Naamsukh
Naeema
Naeemah
Naema
Naima
Other Popular Names Beginning With N
Names With Similar Meaning As Niamh
Do you want your princess to be named after a beautiful goddess? Here are some options to discover other than Niamh.
Infographic: Know The Name’s Personality As Per Numerology
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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How To Communicate The Name In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
niamh
In Sign Language
niamh
In Braille Alphabet
niamh
In Morse Code
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Name Numerology For Niamh
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Niamh?
The name Niamh means ‘bright’ or ‘radiant.’
2. What is the origin of the name Niamh?
Niamh has an Irish origin.
3. How to pronounce the name Niamh?
Niamh is pronounced as neev.
4. What are some middle name options that go well with Niamh?
To enhance the beauty of the name Niamh, which means ‘radiant’ or ‘bright,’ consider choosing middle names that share a similar meaning. Some wonderful options include the Irish nameAileen, which means ‘bright’ or ‘shining,’ the multicultural nameAvira, which signifies ‘bright’ or ‘radiant,’ the Roman and Italian nameChiara, which translates to ‘clear’ or ‘bright,’ the French nameClaire, meaning ‘clear’ or ‘bright,’ and the Hungarian name Ilka, which represents ‘bright’ or ‘light.’
5. What are the positive qualities associated with the name Niamh?
According to numerology, the name Niamh embodies strength, power, and confidence. Niamh also signifies a drive to achieve higher goals and push themselves to succeed. Lastly, the name also represents strong business sense, independence, and leadership qualities.
6. Is Niamh a gender-neutral name?
No, the name Niamh is primarily used for girls. It has its origins in Old Ireland, derived from the word Niam, which signifies ‘bright’ or ‘radiant.’ In English, Niamh is predominantly used, while in Welsh, it takes on the meaning of ‘radiance’ or ‘shine.’
7. Is Niamh a traditional or modern baby name?
The name Niamh has roots in ancient Irish mythology where it was the lover or spouse of the poet-hero Oisin, the daughter of the sea God Manannán mac Lir. She was also one of the queens of Tír na nÓg and has been used for centuries. Therefore, Niamh is a traditional name.
