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Baby names

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Original poster

What do you think of these names? Would you struggle to pronounce any of them?

41 replies

MidnightSun77 · 14/04/2015 12:45

(DH is Persian so we want a unique name that works in both cultures)

Girls

Mandana
Romina
Niloufar
Azita
Elaheh
Roxana
Elnaz
Sarvenaz
Nazanin

Boys

Ardalan
Kamyar
Rayan
Karzan
Rostam
Taymaz
Arshavir
Maziyar

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Stinkylinky · 21/04/2015 13:24

I went to school with a Nilofar, she got called Nilofart for the whole time we were at school bless her

NeophyteStarfish · 21/04/2015 13:10

I like Mandana, Niloufar and Sarvenaz for girls or Ardalan, Kamyar and Taymaz for boys. I don't think any of those are difficult to pronounce.

My favourite is Niloufer, shortened to Nili (I have a lovely friend with this name, so perhaps I'm biased).

berryblueberry · 19/04/2015 19:42

We're in a similar position, so it's interesting to see other people's views...

We also considered international-ish options that also get used by Iranians, like (some pp) Yasmin, Mina, Tania/Tanya, Sonia, Daniel, Maria, Rosie, Mona... (struggling with boy's names!)

We'll probably go with something properly Persian but perhaps one that at least has a snappy nn Smile

TwinkleThis · 16/04/2015 10:50

Ps--all the names look lovely to me.

I've found that with unusual names it is best to hear them spoken, then repeat, rather than attempting to read and sound them out using English phonics and language conventions.

Also, I love it when children have the quiet confidence to calmly correct a mispronunciation of their own names. Don't know why, but I find it impressive.

TwinkleThis · 16/04/2015 10:38

OP, I wouldn't struggle to pronounce any of them. Whether my pronunciation would be correct is a different matter altogether...

franksidebottom · 16/04/2015 10:34

tara
sara
mina
yasmin

I'm half Persian and my names elaineGrin

MaElsie · 16/04/2015 08:17

How about cyrus as another option?

Chancewouldbefinething · 15/04/2015 19:42

Romina and Taymaz are my favourites

MehsMum · 15/04/2015 18:28

PS And though I can't remember Payam's view, and don't know Daryoush's, Benam was definitely Persian before he was anything else!

MehsMum · 15/04/2015 18:27

I think Karzan would soon be Tarzan, Arshavir will get 'arse' comments but generally they are nice names. I really like Roxana (Alexander the Great's wife...) and Azita is lovely. Of the boys, Rayan and Rostam (same name as Rustum?) I think I like best.

I've only ever known three Persians, all men:
Benam
Payam
Daryoush

The last is a bit of a mouthful to a native English speaker (but manageable and easy to learn) and the first two are dead easy to pronounce, remember and spell, as well as being really nice names.

PrimroseEverdeen · 15/04/2015 18:15

They are all really lovely names. Can't see a problem with any of them.

OnlyLovers · 15/04/2015 18:13

Really like:

Mandana
Azita
Elnaz

Rayan
Taymaz

Highabove · 15/04/2015 18:13

And Aryan and Leila...

Highabove · 15/04/2015 18:12

Mum at school married to Persian man has Parisa which I think is lovely.

Original poster
MidnightSun77 · 15/04/2015 18:07

Thanks for advice and opinions everyone!

Jackie, DH really wants a Persian name, and I'm keen for something unusual/exotic-sounding.

Hakluyti, he is Iranian yes but usually describes himself as Persian. He wants an old Persian name rather than an Islamic or Arabic one.

Maki79, how do you pronounce Suri? Is it like 'Surrey' or is the 'u' pronounced as an 'ou'?

OP posts:
Shizzy · 15/04/2015 15:19

I like Shireen and Darius.

carbolicsoaprocked · 15/04/2015 15:08

Girls

Mandana - I knew a Mandana, it was shortened to Maz
Romina - Love this
Niloufar - Ok
Azita - Love this one too
Elaheh - Struggle to pronounce, but if it's how I think it is it's really pretty
Roxana - Dislike
Elnaz - Ok
Sarvenaz - Quite pretty
Nazanin - Ok

Boys

Ardalan - Inoffensive, reminds me of Aslan though
Kamyar - My favourite of your boys names
Rayan - Thought this was pronounced like Ryan but other posts make me think Ray-an?
Karzan - Not a fan, mainly because of Tarzan
Rostam - I hear rostrum.
Taymaz - Ok
Arshavir - Too close to Arse-shaver (sorry)
Maziyar - Like this!

Maki79 · 15/04/2015 06:36

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the posters request.

SeaGrass · 14/04/2015 18:12

I love the name Niloufar and knew a very cool performance poet called that. I also know an admirable little Rayan (he goes to a toddler group with my son and none of the other children or parents seem to have any difficulty with the name). Other favourites from your list are Elnaz and Ardalan.

BackOnPlanetEarth · 14/04/2015 16:32

I think they are all ok apart from Rayan and Rostram as they sound like Rayon and Rostram (the noun!). Arshavir is maybe a bit close to Arse Confused None of the other names look too tricky to pronounce. Assuming they sounds like they are said.

Girls

Mandana. Yes
Romina. Yes
Niloufar. Yes
Azita. Yes
Elaheh. Yes
Roxana. Yes
Elnaz. Yes
Sarvenaz. Yes
Nazanin. Yes

Boys

Ardalan. Yes
Kamyar. Yes
Rayan. No
Karzan. Yes
Rostam. No
Taymaz. Yes
Arshavir. No
Maziyar. Yes

TremoloGreen · 14/04/2015 16:14

Romina
Azita

Kamyar
Taymaz

Guin1 · 14/04/2015 16:05

The only name I had to read more than once to work out how it might be pronounced was Elaheh, although I suspect that might be the prettiest of the girl's names. The only name I have come across before is a friend called Mandana.

Favourites are:
Romina
Elaheh

Ardalan (assume the emphasis is on the first syllable?)
Mazivar (also first syllable emphasis?)

Would avoid Arshavir in case of nicknames.

IvoryMadonna · 14/04/2015 15:55

My last comment was meant to follow SoupDragon's.

IvoryMadonna · 14/04/2015 15:54

And khazi Wink

Cockbollocks · 14/04/2015 15:52

I like these, purely because you can shorten them to nicknames a like!!

Romina - Romi
Niloufar - Nilo
Nazanin - Naz

Rayan - Ray
Rostam - Ross
Arshavir - Arsha
Kamyar - Kam