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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Anna or Anya

37 replies

choppychopster · 11/03/2012 10:05

DD2 is due in 4wks but DH and I are struggling to agree on a name. The only one we both sort of like is Anna. I still think it's maybe a little plain though and prefer Anya. Would love to hear your thoughts wise MNers. Smile

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howcomes · 14/03/2012 02:16

Anna for me too!

EllenParsons · 14/03/2012 02:05

Anna!

PlumPeridot · 14/03/2012 00:52

We are considering Anna, but I do have doubts sometimes about it being too simple. Really, though, the name is so lovely, so warm and a classic. Anya, to me, sounds German. I took care of an Austrian Anya in a nursing home, so that is my association!

Anna is my choice!

abbypumpkin · 13/03/2012 09:17

Anya is a Russian diminutive form of Anna. Anya is more interesting and less 'english'. You could call her Anna and nn her Anya then you have the best of both?

heartmoonshadow · 12/03/2012 17:09

I like Anna simple and classic would have chose something similar myself but my cousin had a girl a few weeks ago and has already bagged it!

oikopolis · 12/03/2012 17:05

Anya is a Russian/EEuropean nickname for Anna or Anastasia.

so i would go with Anna. it's usable in more languages than Anya in any case.

Devora · 12/03/2012 15:59

Both nice, Anna better. I don't know any little Annas.

Rollerbaby · 12/03/2012 15:57

Anna is very pretty. Anya is more fussy.

LondonNadiy · 12/03/2012 15:50

Anna is miles ahead I think, but both are beautiful names. If you want to jazz it up, could go for Ainé (or Aine), (Awnya/Ooorn-ya), the Irish form of Anne/Anna?

shoobidoo · 12/03/2012 13:18

Anya is beautiful and less widely used than Anna. Go for Anya!

zenoushka · 12/03/2012 13:17

I love the name Anya!

sandberry · 11/03/2012 17:22

Call her Anna, nickname her Anya. Anya is a Russian nickname for Anna anyway.

ScruffyTerrier · 11/03/2012 17:06

I like them both but if pressed...Anna.

Best wishes for a healthy delivery Smile

mayanna123 · 11/03/2012 17:03

Both lovely, but Anna is quite popular (we have one too), whereas Anya is a little different, is beautiful and works in most languages.

Anya Rose is lovely!

Original poster
choppychopster · 11/03/2012 16:25

Thanks everyone.

Would be Ann-ya rather than Arn-ya, but DH is still nit convinced. 5yo DD also prefers Anna and is adamant that her middle name will be Rose, which I actually think works quite well.

Have come across a few young Annas recently, but it's not mega popular by any means. It's a lovely, classic name but I still think Anya is more interesting.

OP posts:
BikeRunSki · 11/03/2012 16:17

Anna is the loveliest girl's name ever. Don't like Anya.

TidyDancer · 11/03/2012 16:15

On no! Arnya sounds wrong!

ChippingInNeedsCoffee · 11/03/2012 16:14

Anya - not pronounced as Arnya.

GreenDragonfly · 11/03/2012 16:11

Anya, but only if it's pronounced Arnya like karmabeliever said.

TidyDancer · 11/03/2012 15:58

Definitely Anya for me. Anna is nice, but Anya is a name I would actually consider if DP and I were to have another DD.

RedFlagFlying · 11/03/2012 15:55

Both gorgeous, Anya by a whisker.

PrincessWatermelon · 11/03/2012 14:38

Anya. Far more interesting. Anna seems a bit old to me (and more boring!)

VJayazzle · 11/03/2012 14:31

Anya, that was in our list if we had a girl Smile

clippityclop · 11/03/2012 14:30

Anna. Timeless, can't mess about with it, and nice and easy to learn to write, palindrome factor too.

ODearMe · 11/03/2012 14:26

Anna - classy and elegant