Ní

Appendix:Variations of "ni" Irish Etymology Contracted from ga iníon uí daughter of the descendant of. Pronunciation ga [nʲiː] Noun ga noun 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 ga ó 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 ga ó Ó used in male names ga bean Uí, ga Uí used with a woman's married name ga Nic used in place of the male Mac prefix