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Baby names

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

Original poster

Any thoughts on Anaïs?

56 replies

EmeraldCoast · 19/03/2013 14:49

I?m looking for a strong but feminine name that isn?t Amelia (love it but know three Amelias). What do you think about Anaïs?

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PestoFrostissimos · 19/03/2013 18:49

Perfume

Acandlelitshadow · 19/03/2013 18:48

Forever associated with Anais Nin and erotica for me.

Even without that association it's too close to 'anus' and hours of potential fun for the class bully IMO. Sorry.

OneLittleToddleTerror · 19/03/2013 18:44

I can't see how Amelia is in the same category as Alfie. There are two princess Amelias in British history. Alfie, unless you mean Alfred, I am not aware of any royal connection for example.

iamci · 19/03/2013 18:39

I like it. what about Amelie? not as common as Amelia.

DXBMermaid · 19/03/2013 18:15

I like it, but I too have two little dots in my name (on an e). I find that I've had to drop them as it complicates things in this digital era. My name should be pronounced close to the French way, as would be the same with Anais but most English people that I know just can't do that...

BeeBopDingALing · 19/03/2013 18:08

I wanted to say what WormCanner did, Amelia is a very whiny sounding and overused name. Anaïs & Antonia are much much better.

ladymia · 19/03/2013 18:00

I agree Amelia to me is the female version of Alfie. Both terribly overused, cutesy names and would not put them in the "strong" category.

WormCanner · 19/03/2013 17:55

I don't see Amelia as being a strong name at all, it comes over as whiny to me.

Another vote for Antonia here. Are we just looking for A names?

Beatrixpotty · 19/03/2013 17:00

like it

BeeBopDingALing · 19/03/2013 16:52

Really nice and imo much nicer than Amelia.

Like Anya too. That was Father Christmas' wife in Santa Claus the Movie :)

CPtart · 19/03/2013 16:44

Don't like it.
Howabout Alicia?

Original poster
EmeraldCoast · 19/03/2013 16:40

Thank you for all your comments ? lots to think about. I didn?t know about the Noel Gallagher connection and hadn?t thought of the unfortunate linguistic minefield.
NowPlayingZone ? Anya is gorgeous and is on my list!
AlisonClare ? I love the name Antonia

OP posts:
INeverSaidThat · 19/03/2013 16:19

Sorry another no.

I don't like the two little dot things

I immediately think of the Perfume.

If FingersCrossedLegsNot. I have been pronouncing it wrong Confused

I hate Anais Nin (she includes child sex in her books - young girl getting flirty and more with an older man - that's peodophilia if you ask me)

OlyRoller · 19/03/2013 16:16

How about Anouk?

jacksgrannie · 19/03/2013 16:11

Too difficult and would end in endless explanations of the spelling/pronunciation. Most British people would pronounce it Annay (as in the perfume). I would.

Amelia is a lovely name but if you can't have it how about Amelie? Annabel is beautiful, as is Ariadne.

TheSecondComing · 19/03/2013 16:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mrsshackleton · 19/03/2013 16:06

It's horrible and forever linked to Meg Mathews in my mind.

MrsHoarder · 19/03/2013 16:06

The girl/woman will spend her whole life spelling/pronouncing it for people and the ï will be a pain when she's typing.

Corygal · 19/03/2013 16:06

Porn name par excellence - Anais nin.

PetiteRaleuse · 19/03/2013 16:04

Love it. One of my dds has it as a middle name. But she is French.

AlisonClare · 19/03/2013 16:01

Other ideas

Alba
Antonia
Anastasia

FingersCrossedLegsNot · 19/03/2013 15:56

Love it, it is pronounced Ann eye eece( as in Reece)

Indith · 19/03/2013 15:48

I love it.

But I am bilingual and it is the name of one of my French cousins!

monsterchild · 19/03/2013 15:35

Old French names are hard for kids. My brother has an old French name and he is constantly spelling and pronouncing it.I should think after 43 years he's petty tired of this which may be why his kids all have very normal easy to say and spell names!

NowPlayingZone · 19/03/2013 15:34

I think it's lovely. I would put it on a list with Anya- which I think is of a similar ilk.

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