Neve

♀ Girl

Neve Pronunciation

Neve is pronounced NEV /ˈnɛv/Medium

Meaning: Bright, radiant; anglicized spelling of Irish Niamh, a goddess of Tír na nÓgHigh

In 30 seconds: One svelte syllable, two luminous meanings: the radiant Irish Niamh made spellable, and the Italian word for snow. Either way, it glows.

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Origin HighIrish, Italian

MeaningBright, radiant; anglicized spelling of Irish Niamh, a goddess of Tír na nÓg

U.S. rank (2024)#3357 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births47 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2010

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,557

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Neve is best known as the sayable spelling of Niamh — Irish for 'bright, radiant', the golden-haired otherworld princess of the Fianna tales — and independently as the Italian and Portuguese word for snow. Actress Neve Campbell, named for her Dutch mother's maiden name, carried the spelling to 1990s fame.

In Britain and Ireland the forms Niamh, Neve, and Nevaeh-unrelated Niamh-variants chart steadily; American use is rarer and often honors Irish heritage without the spelling hurdle. A snow-white name in every sense, it remains an elegant rarity stateside.

Did you know? In Irish myth, Niamh of the Golden Hair carried the hero Oisín to Tír na nÓg, the Land of Youth — three hundred years passed before he touched Ireland again.

Overall data confidence 85%

Behind the Name — Niamh — Irish etymology

Variations

NiamhNieveNeva

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Neve Campbell (1973–present)
Canadian actress known for Scream and Party of Five.

If you like Neve…

Niamh— the original Irish spelling of the radiant goddess

Maeve— the rhyming Irish queen name beloved in America

Fiona— a fellow luminous Celtic classic

Shea— the same nature feel

Shay— a similarly popular pick

→ See all names like Neve

Browse the whole category: All Irish names → · All Italian names → · All origins →

Frequently Asked

How do you pronounce Neve?

Neve is pronounced NEV (/ˈnɛv/). Press play above to hear Neve said aloud.

How do you say Neve?

Neve is said NEV (/ˈnɛv/). Press play above to hear Neve said aloud.

What does the name Neve mean?

Neve is an anglicized spelling of Irish Niamh, 'bright, radiant', and is also the Italian word for 'snow'.

Is Neve a boy or girl name?

Neve is a girl's name.

How popular is Neve?

Neve is a rare name in the U.S., better known in Britain and Ireland.