Name Niamh

Niamh is a feminine name with Irish, Old Irish origins. It is considered a ubiquitous name that has experienced moderate growth in popularity recently.

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Meaning of the name Niamh

Origins and Core Meaning

The name Niamh (pronounced "nee-av") is an Irish name steeped in mythology and folklore. It is derived from the Old Irish name "Niam", meaning "brightness" or "radiance". In Irish mythology, Niamh is a beautiful princess who lives in the Otherworld or Tir na nÓg, a realm of everlasting youth and beauty. She is often depicted as a maiden of radiant beauty and enchantment, symbolizing ethereal light and otherworldly allure.

Detailed Insights on Niamh

Origins

Irish - Old Irish name "Niam", meaning "brightness" or "radiance".

Symbolic Representation

As a symbol, Niamh represents radiant beauty, otherworldly allure, and the promise of eternal youth. It is associated with the mystical qualities of the Otherworld and embodies the enchantment and magic of Celtic legends.

Personality Traits

The name Niamh evokes a sense of ethereal beauty, enchantment, and otherworldliness. It conveys a sense of awe and wonder, evoking images of radiant light and mythical realms. It is a name that captures the imagination and sparks a sense of wonder and curiosity.

Key Personality Traits

Personal Meanings of the Name Niamh

  • Niamh should become Néimhe in the genitive case & should in former times have become Néimh in the dative case. [The dative case is becoming archaic in Irish today [except in cases where it has itself replaced the nominative]]. But though the genitive is much more usual in modern usage, this does not seem to apply to many personal names. An bhfaca tú leabhar Niamh? would be a more usual usage today than the more correct an bhfaca tú leabhar Néimhe? perhaps.
    One explanation for this might be that the name was not in common use as a girl's name in earlier centuries and only existed in the story of Oisín mac Fhinn going to Tír na nÓg with Niamh Chinn Óir [Bright-(one) of (the) Head of Gold]
    Searching all the names in the 1911 census for county Dublin there was one Niamh & one Neave. These two were both young children which suggests that the name had not been used in the 19th century.

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  • Niamh came from Tir na nOg or the land of the ever young. She fell in love with Oisin a mortal and took him away with her on her white horse to become immortal. He missed home and went back on her horse to visit being told not to put his foot on Irish soil. He saw the Irish struggling against their enemies and he leant down to help them but the girth on his saddle broke and he became as old as he would have been. Legend says he told his story to St. Patrick when he died and swirling white clouds are Niamh coming to look for him again.

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  • Niamh was the daughter of the King of Tir na nOg and not the daughter of the sea king. She dwellt in the land of the ever young where she still rides out on her white horse looking like a cloud in the sky.

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Niamh Overview & Analysis

Gender statistics

Niamh is predominantly a girl's name with a strong feminine identity. Among 27,836 people named Niamh, 27,836 are female and 0 is male resulting in a 100% female distribution. This pronounced gender imbalance underscores the name Niamh's strong feminine identity.

Data Explanation

This data is sourced from actual birth records, ensuring that the statistics provided are accurate reflections of real naming trends. The percentage has been rounded up for easier readability, but the underlying figures are grounded in factual data, not estimates. This ensures that the information is both reliable and user-friendly, giving a clear and truthful picture of the name Niamh's gender association.

Popularity

Niamh classified as an ubiquitous name and ranks 1,473 in the Namedary database. It has experienced moderate growth over the years, and experienced moderate growth recently. The chance of meeting someone named Niamh is nearly 0.008%, or about one in 10,000+ people.

Popularity and Usage Trends for Niamh

Based on the latest data from 2021 (21), 2022 (1), 2023 (12), Niamh's year-to-year percentage change in popularity is -42.86%. The name Niamh was most popular in 2004, making up 0.001% of baby names (or about one in 70,000+ babies), and reached its lowest point in 1992 with a usage rate of 0.0002%.

Country-Specific Prevalence
Niamh Popularity by Country
FlagCountryRankPopularity
United Kingdom1470.14%
New Zealand9840.01%
Australia1,3240.002%
Canada3,5660.002%
United States7,1090%

People named Niamh are predominantly found in United Kingdom (UK), particularly in East Wales (EW), where it makes up 0.12% of the population.

Data Source

The data in this section was gathered from a variety of sources, including:

To enhance readability, percentages are rounded up. Values less than 0.0015% have been omitted.

Additional Information on Niamh

Pronunciation and Phonetics

Name
Niamh
Pronunciation
  • Ne-ev
  • nee-yev
  • Nie-juv
  • Ni-yee-v
  • NIY-V
Syllable
Niamh in Numerology
Niamh: Name to Numerology Conversion
NIAMH
91
548

Applying the rules of numerology (Pythagorean numerology):

Niamh's Soul Number (Heart's Desire Number): Number 1

  • You yearn to become an independent individual, embrace your uniqueness, and think outside the box.
  • You are motivated by taking responsibility and initiating projects, standing your ground in competition.
  • You dislike being told what to do and have no intention of following the crowd or seeking conquest, victory, or glory.

Niamh's Expression Number (Personality Number): Number 8

  • You possess a strong desire to forge your own path, valuing independence and embracing individuality.
  • In certain situations, you may exhibit strong personalities; daring to venture, to stand out, to shine is your essence.

Niamh's Destiny Number (Life Path Number): Number 9

  • You are artistic, generous, idealistic, poetic, visionary, and altruistic.
  • You are always inclined to engage in charity, giving, and helping others. You have a keen appreciation for art and beauty.
Famous People Named Niamh
  • Niamh Algar (Irish actress)
  • Niamh Kavanagh (Irish singer)
  • Niamh Cusack (Irish actress)
  • Niamh McCarthy (Irish camogie player)
  • Niamh Fahey (Irish footballer)

User-Submitted Information about Niamh

  • The name Niamh was given to 35 girls born in the US in 2015.

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  • Pronunciation: http://forvo.com/search/Niamh/

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  • My name is Niamh and I live in Northern Ireland.. Most people don't have a problem, but people that aren't brought up in the Irish culture would sometimes pronounce it as nee-uv.. But I think people in different parts of Ireland pronounce it slightly differently, Me and all the Niamh's I know, which are quite a lot as It is a very popular name, especially in a catholic school, pronounced as nee-v.

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Conclusion

The name Niamh is a captivating and enchanting moniker that evokes the essence of beauty, magic, and otherworldly allure. Its rich history, mythological associations, and symbolic significance make it a timeless and memorable choice for those seeking a name that captures the imagination and inspires awe.

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