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Home › Baby Names Directory › Niamh

Niamh

♀ Girl

Pronounced NEEV /niːv/High

Meaning: From Old Irish 'níamh', meaning 'bright', 'lustrous', or 'radiant'.High

In 30 seconds: A classic Irish name meaning 'bright' or 'radiant', famously borne by the mythological princess of Tír na nÓg.
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Origin HighIrish, Old Irish
MeaningFrom Old Irish 'níamh', meaning 'bright', 'lustrous', or 'radiant'.
U.S. rank (2025)#3561 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births43 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2008
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,617

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200819692025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Niamh is an ancient Irish feminine name rooted in Old Irish níamh, a word for brightness or lustre. In Irish mythology, Niamh Chinn Óir — Niamh of the Golden Hair — was a daughter of Manannán mac Lir, the sea god, and a queen of Tír na nÓg, the otherworldly land of eternal youth. She fell in love with the poet-warrior Oisín and brought him to her realm, where he lived for three hundred years.

Niamh has remained a staple of Irish naming traditions and experienced a strong revival in the late 20th century. It entered the top names in Ireland and became widely used in England, Scotland, and Welsh communities with Irish heritage. Its spelling often surprises non-Irish speakers — the silent 'mh' is a hallmark of Irish phonology — and it regularly appears on lists of beautiful but hard-to-pronounce names.

Did you know? Niamh of the Golden Hair is one of Ireland's most beloved mythological figures, said to have carried the hero Oisín to the land of eternal youth on a magical white horse.
Overall data confidence 97%
Dictionary of the Irish Language (DIL) — Defines Old Irish 'níamh' as brightness or lustre.MacKillop, James – Dictionary of Celtic Mythology — Provides full account of Niamh Chinn Óir and the Oisín legend.

Variations

NeveNieveNiav

Nicknames

NeeNiv

Famous Bearers

  • ★Niamh (mythological)
    Princess of Tir na nOg in Irish mythology, daughter of Manannan mac Lir, who took the poet Oisin to the Otherworld.
  • ★Niamh Cusack (1959–present)
    Irish actress, daughter of Cyril Cusack, known for stage and television roles.

If you like Niamh…

Astra— Mythological brightness and celestial connotation
Valentine— Classic European heritage with cross-cultural usage
Ayala— Soft feminine feel with deep cultural roots
Neve— another Irish name
Shay— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Niamh

By themeclassicirishone-syllablecelticmythologicalradiant
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Frequently Asked

What does the name Niamh mean?

Niamh means 'bright' or 'radiant' in Old Irish, and is associated with the mythological princess of the land of eternal youth.

How do you pronounce Niamh?

Niamh is pronounced NEEV — a single syllable. The 'mh' combination is silent in Irish, making it sound quite different from its spelling.

Is Niamh a boy or girl name?

Niamh is exclusively a girl's name in Irish tradition.

How popular is Niamh?

Niamh consistently ranks among the most popular girl's names in Ireland and is also well-used in the UK, particularly in communities with Irish heritage.

💬 Ask Nia