Niamh

femaleIrish (mythological)

Traditionally interpreted as 'bright' or 'radiant'. In Irish mythology, Niamh was daughter of the sea god Manannán mac Lir, who fell in love with the poet Oisín.

Origin: Irish (mythological)

Official popularity data is available for 5 regions, from 1964 to 2025. Highest recorded position: #2 in Republic of Ireland in 1995. See regions.

Niamh: Recorded every year since 1964, it reached #2 in 1993, and it was still inside the top 100 in 2025.

5registrars recorded it
122times a registrar ranked it
62years from first to last
#2highest recorded position
32groupings it qualifies for
38names it appears alongside

What stands out in Niamh's record

Ranked inside the top 10 by 2 registrars. Names by top-10 reach
Ranked every year since 1964, without a single year missing. Names by continuity of record
Held a top-100 place for 61 years running. Names by top-100 run
England and Wales registered 1,204 births with the name in 2000, its largest count from any one registrar. Names by yearly birth count

NEEV/ˈnʲiːvˠ/

Compare Niamh Run Name Checker on Niamh

Data Confidence

Evidence: HighCompleteness: CompleteEditorial review: 2026-07-21

Confidence in the evidencebehind this name's data — never a rating of the name itself, and never affected by how well it matches your preferences. How this is assessed

Because: backed by officially or academically authoritative sources, recently verified, popularity data covers multiple regions.

Source authority

Averaged from the real per-claim source-authority assessments already computed for this name's meaning/origin/pronunciation/popularity evidence.

Independent corroboration

Averaged from the real per-claim supporting-source counts already computed for this name's evidence.

See full evidence assessment (8 dimensions, 1 not yet tracked)

Source agreement

No recorded source disagreement for this name's meanings or origins.

Recency

Calculated from how long ago this record was last verified (2026-07-21), against a 270-day staleness threshold.

Geographic relevance

Calculated from the number of geographies with official popularity data (5) — broader official coverage means the evidence base is relevant to more of where the name is actually used.

Completeness

Calculated from how many of the expected data sections (variants, similar names, popularity, notable usage, IPA pronunciation) are actually populated for this name.

Direct observation vs. inference

Averaged from the real per-claim direct-observation-vs-inference ratios already computed for this name's evidence.

Identity & variant resolution quality

Cross-source identity and variant resolution requires HEKNO Knowledge, which isn't connected yet.

Name Characteristics

How these are calculated

Descriptive attributes of the name itself — not a confidence measurement, and not an overall quality score. Namewise doesn't approve or disapprove of names.

Pronunciation clarity

Editorial judgement of how consistently this name is pronounced correctly on first read, mapped from an easy/moderate/variable rating to a number. Describes the name — not a measure of evidence confidence.

Spelling simplicity

Calculated directly from the name's spelling: shorter names with fewer irregular letter clusters score higher. A disclosed formula, not an editorial opinion — and not a confidence measurement.

Recorded regional spread

Derived from how many geographies' official statistics record this name. It measures where the name is registered, not how well-known it feels to people living there.

International spread

Derived from the same official statistical coverage, scaled to reflect how widely the name crosses national datasets. Not a measure of how easily it is understood in another language.

Trend stability

Derived from the name's traditional/modern classification and its current popularity trend direction.

Overview

Origin: Irish (mythological)
Meaning: Traditionally interpreted as 'bright' or 'radiant'. In Irish mythology, Niamh was daughter of the sea god Manannán mac Lir, who fell in love with the poet Oisín.
Pronunciation: NEEV
Syllables: 1
Common nicknames: None recorded
Classification: Traditional & modern
Gender usage: female
Language family: Irish (mythological)

Popularity

Region

Falling

among girls in England and Wales · 1996–2025

View as table

England and Wales · Girls rank by year
Year	Rank
1996	#120
1997	#86
1998	#66
1999	#47
2000	#40
2001	#49
2002	#54
2003	#56
2004	#48
2005	#50
2006	#63
2007	#69
2008	#70
2009	#76
2010	#78
2011	#81
2012	#84
2013	#90
2014	#103
2015	#109
2016	#109
2017	#111
2018	#128
2019	#131
2020	#136
2021	#136
2022	#169
2023	#173
2024	#193
2025	#208

VerifiedSource: Office for National Statistics — Baby Names in England and Wales.Confidence: high.

See all England and Wales names · Source: Office for National Statistics — Baby Names in England and Wales

What the data shows

FallingEngland and Wales · Girls

Recorded in official data among girls in Republic of Ireland in every year from 1964 to 2025.

In 2025: #90 among girls in Republic of Ireland, #208 among girls in England and Wales.

Official data from 5 national registrars across 5 regions, 1964–2025 · Office for National Statistics. Data sources

Popularity journey

First recorded1964
First recorded at #109 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1964 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #208 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls

Niamh appears in 3 of the published lists Namewise holds. The longest record is Republic of Ireland · Girls, which has ranked it in 62 years beginning in 1964, and has registered 20,909 births with the name.

Niamh across 3 official records

Each registrar publishes its own list, so these figures are read down a row, never across one. A position in one country is not comparable with a position in another, and Namewise never combines them into a single ranking. The birth counts do not compare across rows either, for a different reason: England and Wales registers roughly thirty times as many births a year as Northern Ireland, so a larger total says which registrar recorded it as much as how widely the name was given.

Niamh's first, highest and most recent recorded position in each official list, with the number of births each registrar registered with the name and its largest single year
Published list	First recorded	Highest	Most recent	Years recorded	Births registered	Most in one year
Republic of Ireland · Girls	#109 (1964)	#2 (1993)	#90 (2025)	62 of 62	20,909 (1964–2025)	719 (1993)
England and Wales · Girls	#120 (1996)	#40 (2000)	#208 (2025)	30 of 30	20,575 (1996–2025)	1,204 (2000)
Northern Ireland · Girls	#11 (1997)	#5 (2005)	#47 (2024)	28 of 28	3,495 (1997–2024)	220 (1999)

Niamh by decade in Republic of Ireland · Girls

Births registered with the name in each decade of this one list, with the number of years the list covers in that decade. Bars are scaled on births a year, which is the figure that compares between decades — a decade the list only partly covers has a smaller total without being a quieter decade. Figures belong to this registrar alone and do not carry to another.

Births registered with Niamh in Republic of Ireland · Girls, by decade, with years covered and the average per year
Decade	Births registered	Years covered	A year
1960s	729	6 of 10	122
1970s	3,406	10 of 10	341
1980s	4,762	10 of 10	476
1990sbusiest	5,961	10 of 10	596
2000s	3,917	10 of 10	392
2010s	1,741	10 of 10	174
2020s	393	6 of 10	66

Across Republic of Ireland · Girls, the 1990s were its busiest decade, averaging 596 births a year.

Its sharpest single-year move came between 1992 and 1993, when recorded births rose by 174, from 545 to 719.

See the names Republic of Irelandhas recorded the most births with →

Niamh appears in

Groupings this name qualifies for under their own stated rules, from the same official statistics shown above.

What the record shows

Recorded by 5 registrars between 1964 and 2025, ranked in 62 years of that period.

Its highest recorded position is #2, first reached in 1993.

It held a top-100 place in 61 years, 61 of them consecutive.

Its largest count from any one registrar is 1,204 births, registered in England and Wales in 2000.

2 registrars ranked it inside their own top 10.

A second registrar first ranked it in 1996, and 60 years separate the first registrar to record it from the last.

Every figure here is counted from the seven official registrars Namewise holds. A position is only ever a place within the list that published it, and a record that thins or stops is a fact about what registrars printed — never about how many children received the name.

Niamh was ranked #2 in Republic of Ireland · Girls in 1993. These are the names immediately either side of it on that published list — a fact about the registrar's own output, not a similarity judgement.

Where to go next

Records with a comparable body of evidence, so the catalogue can be read outward from this one. Each group states the rule it was selected by.

Next in the catalogue

The records either side of this one alphabetically.

Niall · #16, 62y
Niam · #833, 30y
Niara · #2574, 14y
Niccolo · #1492, 25y

A comparable record

Records held by the same 5 registrars, over a similar number of ranked years, whose highest position is closest to this one. A similar body of evidence — never a claim that the names themselves are alike.

Conor · #1, 62y
Tania · #4, 63y
Belinda · #6, 66y
Bridget · #7, 62y

Also first recorded in the 1960s

Records whose earliest ranking in Namewise's registrar data also falls between 1960 and 1969.

Caitlin · #2, 49y
Ciara · #2, 62y
Hannah · #2, 62y
Kylie · #2, 56y

Comparisons involving Niamh

Existing comparison pages where Niamh and another name were ranked in the same published list, in the same years, on the same scale. Each has its own evidence; none of them says the names are alike.

Longest shared records

Names ranked alongside Niamh in the same published list across at least 25 years.

Niamh vs Jordan
In 1996 they stood at #120 and #126 in England and Wales · Girls, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #208 and #4201.
Niamh · Jordan · 29 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
See the 2025 England and Wales ranking
Niamh vs Janet
In 1964 they stood at #109 and #106 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 3 places apart; by 2018 they were #59 and #896.
Niamh · Janet · 43 shared years, 1964–2018 · Started together, ended far apart
See the 2018 Republic of Ireland ranking
Niamh vs Pamela
In 1964 they stood at #109 and #116 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2017 they were #47 and #873.
Niamh · Pamela · 46 shared years, 1964–2017 · Started together, ended far apart
See the 2017 Republic of Ireland ranking

Closest long-running positions

Names that stayed close to Niamh within one registrar's list over many years. A gap measured inside that list, never across registrars.

Hannah vs Niamh
Across 28 shared years in Northern Ireland · Girls, Hannah and Niamh averaged 4.2 places apart, ending at #57 and #47.
Hannah · Niamh · 28 shared years, 1997–2024 · Closest over the longest run
See the 2024 Northern Ireland ranking
Niamh vs Erin
Across 28 shared years in Northern Ireland · Girls, Niamh and Erin averaged 8.1 places apart, ending at #47 and #25.
Niamh · Erin · 28 shared years, 1997–2024 · Closest over the longest run
See the 2024 Northern Ireland ranking
Sarah vs Niamh
Across 28 shared years in Northern Ireland · Girls, Sarah and Niamh averaged 11.3 places apart, ending at #75 and #47.
Sarah · Niamh · 28 shared years, 1997–2024 · Closest over the longest run
See the 2024 Northern Ireland ranking

Order changes

Pairs where Niamh and another name exchanged position in a published list, taken as the final meaningful change.

Chloe vs Niamh
In 1998, Chloe moved ahead of Niamh in Republic of Ireland · Girls — #9 and #5 the year before became #1 and #6.
Chloe · Niamh · 48 shared years, 1974–2025 · One moved ahead of the other
See the 1998 Republic of Ireland ranking
Aoife vs Niamh
In 1997, Aoife moved ahead of Niamh in Republic of Ireland · Girls — #5 and #3 the year before became #2 and #5.
Aoife · Niamh · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · One moved ahead of the other
See the 1997 Republic of Ireland ranking
Grace vs Niamh
In 2006, Grace moved ahead of Niamh in Northern Ireland · Girls — #22 and #5 the year before became #2 and #12.
Grace · Niamh · 28 shared years, 1997–2024 · One moved ahead of the other
See the 2006 Northern Ireland ranking

Compared inside Republic of Ireland lists

Pairs involving Niamh measured in Republic of Ireland's own published lists — the registrar that recorded Niamh at its highest position.

Amanda vs Niamh
In 1964 they stood at #118 and #109 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2025 they were #608 and #90.
Amanda · Niamh · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
See the 2025 Republic of Ireland ranking
Niamh vs Cara
Over 60 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Cara rose about as far as Niamh fell — from #56 and #344 in 1966 to #90 and #52 in 2025.
Niamh · Cara · 60 shared years, 1966–2025 · Mirrored each other
See the 2025 Republic of Ireland ranking
Niamh vs Lara
Over 58 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Lara rose about as far as Niamh fell — from #50 and #401 in 1968 to #90 and #102 in 2025.
Niamh · Lara · 58 shared years, 1968–2025 · Mirrored each other
See the 2025 Republic of Ireland ranking

Republic of Ireland overview→

Niamh and the names beside it

Two names in the same published list are measured on the same scale, in the same year, by the same registrar — so these are positions that genuinely passed each other, not a similarity judgement. Drawn from the 2,577 names with a recorded popularity standing (common, familiar, uncommon), so a name outside that set could have passed Niamh without appearing here.

Niamh moved ahead of

Lisa
In 1996 they stood at #120 and #105 in England and Wales · Girls; by 1997 that had become #86 and #143.
Mary
In 2020 they stood at #86 and #82 in Republic of Ireland · Girls; by 2021 that had become #72 and #127.
Kelly
In 1997 they stood at #86 and #82 in England and Wales · Girls; by 1998 that had become #66 and #120.
Megan Compare
In 2018 they stood at #128 and #126 in England and Wales · Girls; by 2019 that had become #131 and #184.

Moved ahead of Niamh

Ada
In 2017 they stood at #111 and #114 in England and Wales · Girls; by 2018 that had become #128 and #65.
Hazel
In 2021 they stood at #136 and #147 in England and Wales · Girls; by 2022 that had become #169 and #108.
Maeve
In 2019 they stood at #131 and #218 in England and Wales · Girls; by 2020 that had become #136 and #94.
Mila
In 2014 they stood at #103 and #106 in England and Wales · Girls; by 2015 that had become #109 and #79.

Moved the opposite way to Niamh

Caoimhe Compare
Between 1966 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Niamh went from #56 to #90 while Caoimhe went from #380 to #31.
Jessica Compare
Between 1966 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Niamh went from #56 to #90 while Jessica went from #380 to #141.
Leah Compare
Between 1966 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Niamh went from #56 to #90 while Leah went from #310 to #55.
Sophie Compare
Between 1967 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Niamh went from #56 to #90 while Sophie went from #354 to #6.

Moved the same way as Niamh

Camilla
Between 1966 and 2024 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Niamh went from #56 to #94 and Camilla from #236 to #556.
May
Between 1967 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Niamh went from #56 to #90 and May from #315 to #718.
Marilyn
Between 1969 and 2023 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Niamh went from #43 to #73 and Marilyn from #443 to #856.
Abigail
Between 1996 and 2025 in England and Wales · Girls, Niamh went from #120 to #208 and Abigail from #21 to #171.

Meaning & Origin

Traditionally interpreted as 'bright' or 'radiant'. In Irish mythology, Niamh was daughter of the sea god Manannán mac Lir, who fell in love with the poet Oisín.

VerifiedSource: Behind the Name.Confidence: medium.

Irish (mythological)

VerifiedSource: Behind the Name.Confidence: medium.

Other names with a researched meaning and origin →

Where Niamh is officially recorded

5 official registrars have recorded Niamh, between 1964 and 2025. Each registrar publishes for its own population on its own methodology, so the positions below are each one country's own ranking and are not comparable with one another.

Registrar	Recorded	Years	Its own highest position
Republic of Ireland	1964–2025	62	#2 in 1993
England and Wales	1996–2025	30	#40 in 2000
Northern Ireland	1997–2024	28	#5 in 2005
New Zealand	2000	1	#94 in 2000
Scotland	2024	1	#76 in 2024

Its high point came 31 years earlier in Republic of Ireland (1993) than in Scotland (2024).

Variants

Neve · spelling
Níam · spelling

Similar Names

No similar names recorded yet for this name.

Similarity is a demonstration score — see methodology.

Spelling

Spelling simplicity

Calculated directly from the name's spelling — see Name Characteristics above.

Common alternate spellings: Neve, Níam.

Pronunciation

NEEV/ˈnʲiːvˠ/

Syllables: 1
Ease: easy

VerifiedSource: Behind the Name.Confidence: medium.

Where Niamh Is Recorded

National statistical agencies have recorded Niamh in these places. This shows where the name is used — not where it comes from, and not that it carries particular cultural significance there.

England and WalesNorthern IrelandScotlandRepublic of IrelandNew Zealand

Notable Usage

No safely-sourced notable usage recorded for this name yet.

Sibling & Surname Compatibility

Preview with a surname

Entirely local — nothing you type here is saved or sent anywhere.

Full sibling-set and initials-across-a-shortlist matching is a planned premium feature — see Premium.

Niamh

Niamh at a glance

What stands out in Niamh's record

Overview

Popularity

What the data shows

Popularity journey

Niamh across 3 official records

Niamh by decade in Republic of Ireland · Girls

Niamh appears in

What the record shows

Names published alongside Niamh

Where to go next

Next in the catalogue

A comparable record

Also first recorded in the 1960s

Comparisons involving Niamh

Longest shared records

Closest long-running positions

Order changes

Compared inside Republic of Ireland lists

Niamh and the names beside it

Niamh moved ahead of

Moved ahead of Niamh

Moved the opposite way to Niamh

Moved the same way as Niamh

Meaning & Origin

Where Niamh is officially recorded

Variants

Similar Names

Spelling

Pronunciation

Where Niamh Is Recorded

Notable Usage

Sibling & Surname Compatibility

Niamh at a glance

What stands out in Niamh's record

Niamh across 3 official records

Niamh by decade in Republic of Ireland · Girls

Niamh appears in

What the record shows

Names published alongside Niamh

Where to go next

Next in the catalogue

A comparable record

Also first recorded in the 1960s

Comparisons involving Niamh

Longest shared records

Closest long-running positions

Order changes

Compared inside Republic of Ireland lists

Niamh and the names beside it

Niamh moved ahead of

Moved ahead of Niamh

Moved the opposite way to Niamh

Moved the same way as Niamh