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Neive

Girl name · 175 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Neive: 175 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 21 births in 2008.

Neive is a Scottish variant of the Irish name Niamh, derived from the Old Irish word for "bright" or "radiant," and often linked to the mythological figure Niamh of the Golden Hair, a queen in the legend of Oisín. Among real-life bearers, Irish singer Niamh Kavanagh, who won the 1993 Eurovision Song Contest, is a notable example. While there are no direct place namesakes, the root shares a connection with the River Nene in England, whose name may also stem from a Celtic word for "bright." This elegant spelling is less common than Niamh but offers a distinctive twist, popular in Scotland as a modern alternative that feels both timeless and fresh