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I'm looking for historical information for "nia" or "nyia" or any of the variants of this name. The information suggests it's of Welsh or Irish origin, but doesn't give any dates or myth or real name information. I'm looking for actual documentation of the use of this name pre-1600. Anyone have more information?
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thank you!
I wanted to say thank you to all who took the time to research this. I really appreciate your efforts.
I wanted to say thank you to all who took the time to research this. I really appreciate your efforts.
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I found the following on a Welsh language site which seems to be legitimate:
http://www.bwrdd-yr-iaith.org.uk/en/cynnwys.php?cID=1&pID=157
NIA
The name Nia became popular following the success of T Gwynn Jones' lyrical 'awdl', Tir na n-Og, which was published in 1916. The 'awdl' is based on an old Irish legend, where the poet Osian falls in love with Nia Ben Aur.
My interpretation of the above would be that Nia was first used in Welsh when T. Gwynn Jones wrote a Welsh version of the Irish legend about Niamh in 1916. I think it's unlikely that it was used in Wales before then.
If your documentation doesn't have to deal with the Welsh derivation, I think your best bet would be to look for evidence of its use as a pet name in Italy or Greece pre-1600. Certainly Nia is used as a pet form of names like Antonia in those countries today, as exemplified by the Greek-American actress Nia Vardalos. But it may not be likely that Nia was used as a baptismal form before 1600 in those countries, either.
http://www.bwrdd-yr-iaith.org.uk/en/cynnwys.php?cID=1&pID=157
NIA
The name Nia became popular following the success of T Gwynn Jones' lyrical 'awdl', Tir na n-Og, which was published in 1916. The 'awdl' is based on an old Irish legend, where the poet Osian falls in love with Nia Ben Aur.
My interpretation of the above would be that Nia was first used in Welsh when T. Gwynn Jones wrote a Welsh version of the Irish legend about Niamh in 1916. I think it's unlikely that it was used in Wales before then.
If your documentation doesn't have to deal with the Welsh derivation, I think your best bet would be to look for evidence of its use as a pet name in Italy or Greece pre-1600. Certainly Nia is used as a pet form of names like Antonia in those countries today, as exemplified by the Greek-American actress Nia Vardalos. But it may not be likely that Nia was used as a baptismal form before 1600 in those countries, either.
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Name documentation of any sort pre-1800 is virtually non-existent even in highly documented countries such as England and the US. Pre-1600 Welsh is very unlikely, and I've certainly never seen such a thing. Perhaps a mythology board might be the place to ask if there was ever a myth about Nia? BtN's entry suggests that it's merely a variation of Niamh, which may mean that Nia is a more recent coinage or a non-mythological name.
It's worth noting also that Nia is often found on girls of Greek origin, as a nickname for names ending in 'nia' (http://www.behindthename.com/php/search.php?terms=*nia&nmd=n&gender=both&operator=or).
♦ Chrisell ♦
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. - J.R.R. Tolkien.
It's worth noting also that Nia is often found on girls of Greek origin, as a nickname for names ending in 'nia' (http://www.behindthename.com/php/search.php?terms=*nia&nmd=n&gender=both&operator=or).
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. - J.R.R. Tolkien.
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