Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Niamh
GirlIrish· “bright, radiant”
- Meaning
- bright, radiant
- Origin
- Irish
- Pronunciation
- NEEV
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #3,561
- US babies 2025
- 43
- Best rank
- #2,320 (2001)
- Peak year
- 2008
Meaning and origin of Niamh
Niamh is an Irish name that means “bright, radiant”.
Niamh is an Irish name meaning bright or radiant, and it is said NEEV, a pronunciation that follows Irish spelling rules in which mh sounds like v. In Irish legend, Niamh of the Golden Hair is the daughter of the sea god Manannán mac Lir who carries the hero Oisín away to Tír na nÓg, the land of eternal youth. The name has long been a favorite in Ireland and is used by Irish families abroad. Anglicized spellings include Neve and Neeve, which solve the pronunciation puzzle at the cost of the original look. It pairs mythic depth with a single, simple syllable.
Other spellings with the same sound: Niam.
Popularity over time
Niamh first appears in US Social Security records in 1969. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #2,320 in 2001, and the most babies received it in 2008, when 74 were named Niamh. In 2025, 43 babies were named Niamh, and it ranked #3,561 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #7,897 in 1980, #2,531 in 2000, #3,680 in 2010, and #3,561 in 2025. Of the 1,617 US girls named Niamh since records began, 39% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 447 babies. Since 2010, 679 more have been named Niamh.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Keelie, Jaylie, Rylea, Lilliann, and Jayonna.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Niamh ranked highest in New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New York | #2006 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Niamh is usually pronounced NEEV, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with N and ends in “-mh”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Niam.
Middle names for Niamh
A few middle names that flow with Niamh: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Niamh
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Lists that include Niamh
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Niamh mean?
Niamh is an Irish name that means “bright, radiant”.
What is the origin of the name Niamh?
Niamh has Irish roots. Niamh is an Irish name meaning bright or radiant, and it is said NEEV, a pronunciation that follows Irish spelling rules in which mh sounds like v.
Is Niamh a popular name?
Not especially. Niamh ranked #3,561 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Niamh a boy or girl name?
Niamh is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Niamh?
Niamh 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