Caoimhe as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Caoimhe

What is the meaning of the name Caoimhe ?

The baby name Caoimhe is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced KEE-vah (IPA: /ˈkʲiːvə/ or /ˈkˠiːvə/).

Caoimhe is Irish in Origin.

Caoimhe is an Irish feminine given name pronounced KEE-va in most of Ireland and KWEE-va in Ulster. It derives from Old Irish cóem (modern caomh), meaning “dear, gentle, beautiful” or “precious,” with the feminine ending -e. The root appears widely in early Gaelic as an adjective and in name elements, linking Caoimhe to the same linguistic family as the masculine Caoimhín (anglicized Kevin).

As a standalone feminine name, Caoimhe is attested but became broadly favored during the 20th-century Gaelic revival and has ranked highly in modern baby-name charts across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Anglicized forms include Keeva and Kiva (the latter also exists independently in other traditions). Related names built on caomh include Caoimhín and diminutives like Caoimhín’s pet forms, though Caoimhe itself is not typically shortened. The name’s appeal lies in its soft sound, strong heritage, and meaning of cherished gentleness.