Niam is an Irish given name, derived from the ancient Irish name Nia. It has gained popularity in recent years as a unisex name, but it's traditionally more common among girls. The name Niam means "radiant" or "shining," which reflects its Irish origins and adds a certain luminosity to those who bear it. In Ireland, Niam is often associated with the legendary warrior queen of Connacht, Queen Medb (also known as Maeve), whose name in ancient Irish was Mebd. This historical connection gives the name an air of strength and regal beauty. The name can be found in various spellings such as Niáim, Niamh, and Níamh, but it's most commonly written as Niam today. It's also worth noting that Niam is often used as a shortened form of longer names like Niamh or Niamha, which further contributes to its popularity and familiarity. In the world of literature, Niam has been notably used in Seamus Heaney's poem "Naming and Race," adding literary depth to the name.
"The name Niam experienced a significant surge in popularity from 2010 onwards, with a notable spike occurring between 2014 and 2021."