Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Neve
GirlIrish· “bright, radiant; anglicized form of Niamh”
- Meaning
- bright, radiant; anglicized form of Niamh
- Origin
- Irish
- Pronunciation
- NEEV
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #3,156
- US babies 2025
- 51
- Best rank
- #2,089 (2010)
- Peak year
- 2010
Meaning and origin of Neve
Neve is an Irish name that means “bright, radiant; anglicized form of Niamh”.
Neve is an anglicized spelling of the Irish Niamh, a name meaning "bright" or "radiant." In Irish legend, Niamh of the Golden Hair is a woman of the Otherworld who carries the hero Oisín away to Tír na nÓg, the land of eternal youth. The Irish spelling can puzzle English readers, and Neve spells out the sound, NEEV. The actress Neve Campbell brought this spelling to wide notice in the US. It also resembles nieve, the Spanish word for snow, which is unrelated.
Popularity over time
Neve first appears in US Social Security records in 1996. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #2,089 in 2010, the same year it reached its highest count of 95 babies. In 2025, 51 babies were named Neve, and it ranked #3,156 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #4,373 in 2000, #2,089 in 2010, and #3,156 in 2025. Of the 1,608 US girls named Neve since records began, 42% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 500 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Keyli, Luci, Maycie, Nataleigh, and Cristel.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Neve ranked highest in Illinois and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | #1363 | 6 |
| California | #3407 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Neve is usually pronounced NEEV, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with N and ends in “-ve”.
Middle names for Neve
A few middle names that flow with Neve: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Neve
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Lists that include Neve
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Neve mean?
Neve is an Irish name that means “bright, radiant; anglicized form of Niamh”.
What is the origin of the name Neve?
Neve has Irish roots. Neve is an anglicized spelling of the Irish Niamh, a name meaning "bright" or "radiant." In Irish legend, Niamh of the Golden Hair is a woman of the Otherworld who carries the hero Oisín away to Tír na nÓg, the land of eternal youth.
Is Neve a popular name?
Not especially. Neve ranked #3,156 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Neve a boy or girl name?
Neve is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Neve?
Neve is usually pronounced NEEV. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings