Rising since 1987, #3,517 for girls today.
Popularity of Niamh since 1969
Babies named Niamh per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 5 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 30 |
| 1990s | 267 |
| 2000s | 636 |
| 2010s | 447 |
| 2020s | 232 |
Meaning & origin
Niamh is a traditional Irish name that has seen increasing use in the United States since the late 20th century. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1969, and by 1987 began a steady upward trend in popularity. The name reached its peak usage in 2008, ranking 3517 nationally in 2025. Niamh is most commonly given to girls in New York, reflecting a strong Irish-American presence. With its mythological roots and melodic pronunciation, Niamh offers a distinctly Irish heritage that resonates with families seeking a name with cultural depth and a luminous meaning.
Niamh is the modern Irish spelling of the Old Irish name Niam, meaning 'brightness' or 'radiance'. In Irish mythology, Niamh Cinn Oir (Niamh of the Golden Hair) was a female warrior of the Tuatha De Danann and the lover of the poet Oisin. The name has been used in Ireland for centuries, though its spelling was standardized in the 20th century. The anglicized form Neave is also common.
Where Niamh is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Niamh” around the world
Where Niamh lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
#90
in 2025
New Zealand
11
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mia, Nia, Neave
Sibling names for Niamh
Names that share Niamh's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Aoife, Saoirse, Ciara, Maeve, Roisin, Aislin, Aisling, Aislinn, Bridgit, Brigit, Cailin, Ceara, Dara, Deidre, Deirdre, Enya, Erynn, Keara, Keelin, Keva, Leigha, Mairead, Meara, Moira, Naudia, Oona, Orla, Rosaleen, Seana, Seanna, Shae, Sinead, Siobhan, Teigan, Treasa, Una, Wynne, Ailin, Ailish, Allanah, Bridgid, Brighid, Caitrin, Darra, Deirdra, Dierdre, Dineen, Evanna, Fia, Fionna, Gatha, Inis, Ita, Kearra, Keera, Lockie, Madigan, Maire, Mairin, Morna, Moya, Riona, Treena, Aideen, Ailis, Aine, Arrietty, Ashling, Caitriona, Caoimhe, Cearra, Ceili, Ceira, Chivon, Clodagh, Dierdra, Edana, Eilee, Eilis, Eilish, Enda, Fianna, Kearney, Keeva, Oria, Pegeen, Riann, Ruari, Shevon, Sorcha, Eavan, Finola, Shavonn, Aibhlinn, Aileena, Airyn, Branna, Cait, Ceana, Cheila, Ciaira, Ciin, Deveney, Emer, Ethne, Fionnuala, Madailein, Mirren, Seona, Shevaun, Shevawn, Shevonne, Shivon, Shivonne, Talulla
Brothers: Cian, Liam, Finn, Sean, Oisin, Breon, Brion, Brogan, Calin, Calum, Cavan, Ciaran, Cillian, Clancy, Conan, Cormac, Dempsey, Derry, Desmond, Devlin, Dezmond, Donn, Doran, Eamon, Eamonn, Egan, Eoin, Evin, Farrell, Finnian, Finnigan, Kaelan, Keagan, Keane, Keegan, Keenan, Kieran, Kiernan, Kilian, Kyran, Oneal, Oran, Oshea, Rian, Ronan, Rory, Shamus, Shayne, Tiernan, Tully, Brenan, Bron, Callaghan, Cashel, Chael, Conlan, Deaglan, Dermot, Derrian, Donnovan, Eion, Eoghan, Erion, Finian, Fintan, Fionn, Kalum, Kavan, Kean, Keeghan, Keiran, Keiron, Kieren, Kieron, Lochlann, Malachy, Neven, Ormond, Padraig, Phelan, Shamon, Shann, Shayn, Tadhg, Aedin, Aengus, Aodhan, Bran, Cailan, Conlin, Daire, Darragh, Dolan, Esker, Faolan, Finan, Finnan, Kealan, Keefe, Keefer, Kerney, Kerrick, Keynan, Kienan, Kirin, Kyllian, Kynan, Leith, Lorcan, Lydon, Marcas, Obrien, Quillan, Rafferty, Riordan, Rourke, Ruairi, Tighe, Toryn, Desman, Aemon, Breandan, Bryne, Cathan, Colm, Conal, Conn, Cono, Conroy, Cormick, Corran, Coyle, Desmund, Dorin, Ernan, Ewin, Finbar, Finneus, Gadge, Keanen, Keevan, Kielan, Konan, Mccabe, Ossian, Pearse, Ranen, Reiss, Sair, Senan, Tarl
