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. Ní 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.

Related terms

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