Ní

See also: Appendix:Variations of "ni"

Irish

Etymology

Contracted from iníon uí (“daughter of the descendant of”).

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): [nʲiː]

Noun

Ní

  1. A prefix used with a woman's maiden surname
    Deirdre Ní Cheallaigh – literally "Deirdre, daughter of a descendant of Ceallach" (anglicized form Deirdre Kelly)

Usage notes

This prefix replaces the prefix Ó found in male surnames, and triggers lenition of a following consonant. It is used by unmarried women, and by married women who have kept their maiden name. Thus Deirdre Ní Cheallaigh's father and brothers would use the surname Ó Ceallaigh.

  • Ó (used in male names)
  • bean Uí, Uí (used with a woman's married name)
  • Nic (used in place of the male Mac prefix)
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