Ní

Etymology
Contracted from.

Noun

 * 1) 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 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

 * Ó