What does Niamh mean?
Niamh means “bright” or “radiant.” Niamh of the Golden Hair rides to the Otherworld in Irish myth.
What does Fiadh mean?
Fiadh means “wild” and also “deer” in Irish — one of Ireland’s most popular names today.
Niamh vs Fiadh
Which is more popular?
Fiadh is more popular than Niamh today: about 96 US babies were given the name Fiadh in 2025, compared with 43 named Niamh.
| Niamh | Fiadh | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Bright, radiant | Wild; deer |
| Origin | Irish | Irish |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | NEEV | FEE-uh |
| Syllables | 1 | 1 |
| First appeared | 1969 | 2018 |
| Peak year | 2008 (74) | 2025 (96) |
| In 2025 | 43 | 96 |
| Trend | Declining | Near its peak |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Niamh
Fiadh
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Niamh | Fiadh |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 232 | 390 |
| 2010s | 447 | 29 |
| 2000s | 636 | 0 |
| 1990s | 267 | 0 |
| 1980s | 30 | 0 |
| 1960s | 5 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Niamh or Fiadh more popular?
Fiadh is more popular than Niamh today: about 96 US babies were given the name Fiadh in 2025, compared with 43 named Niamh.
What is the difference between Niamh and Fiadh?
Niamh means Bright, radiant (Irish origin), while Fiadh means Wild; deer (Irish origin).
Which name is older, Niamh or Fiadh?
In US records, Niamh first appears in 1969 and Fiadh in 2018, so Niamh has the longer recorded history.