Ní
See also Appendix:Variations of "ni"
Irish
Pronunciation
- IPA: [nʲiː]
Etymology
Contracted from iníon uí (“daughter of the descendant of”).
Noun
Ní
- 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.
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)