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Baby names

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

The name Anita

31 replies

Liz09 · 17/07/2016 10:22

What do you think of the name Anita? Anna isn't an option as we know a few already, and Anita would be honouring someone directly (as it's their middle name). Just wondering if it's a bit dated, or otherwise just not nice? I always associate it with Pallenberg, but I have no clue how it's received generally.

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NotYoda · 20/07/2016 19:43

I love it

I often suggest it on here

It's feminine and a bit exotic-sounding.

Wordsaremything · 20/07/2016 00:02

Vair sixties. Cf marianne, cilla etc.

Blueberryblueberry · 19/07/2016 15:09

I quite like it - a few nicknames that could be used as well, nettie, neet, Annie...

Loafingaround · 19/07/2016 10:04

Always think of the very cool, bohemian and beautiful character Anita in Heartbreak high when I hear it !

Bved · 19/07/2016 09:22

It's my mum's first name, she was of Finnish-Swedish heritage, sadly passed away 7 years ago at 67 years of age. I love it for obvious reasons but also agree with posters saying it's a classic name. Understand from an Indian perspective it's old-fashioned, however from a Scandinavian point of view it could even be perceived as back in fashion/trendy. Had I had a girl ( mum of boys) it would most definitely been first or second name.

Alisvolatpropiis · 19/07/2016 09:14

I've only ever met one Anita, who as it happens in quite elderly. It's a nice name.

Nina has a similar sort of vibe.

LunaLoveg00d · 19/07/2016 08:50

It's a good name - easy to spell, easy to pronounce and not "weird". Those who are saying it's dated probably have children called Lily-Rose or Lexi which will date in exactly the same way.

Mclaren37 · 19/07/2016 07:05

I'm afraid I find it rather harsh and very dated. Could you honour this person by using their first name? Seems unusual to choose someone's middle name to honour thenm, since middle names are often there to honor someone else to begin with.

sycamore54321 · 19/07/2016 02:36

I like it. Well known but not overly common, easy to spell. Would travel well if your daughter moves to a country with another language. Looks pleasingly balanced when written down and sounds nice. To me, it is a lot less frumpy than the granny/maiden aunt names that find favour on here.

CharleyDavidson · 17/07/2016 22:13

My sister is an Anita. And I have worked with three different Anita's. All now aged between 40 and 60.

I do like it, as I'm very used to it. I think it is a pretty name and fine for a new baby. Lots of people use the nickname 'Neet'.

Purplebluebird · 17/07/2016 22:06

I know of lots of people in Norway called Anita. Very nice name. I also like Anine :)

MollyTwo · 17/07/2016 22:03

In India it's an Indian name that is very dated and would sound like the equivalent of a Gertrude or Joan.

Correct. It's more an 'Aunty' name and quite dated.

Enkopkaffetak · 17/07/2016 21:30

Don't like it at all and yes think it is dated.

DramaAlpaca · 17/07/2016 20:54

I find it very dated. Sorry.

LotsOfDots · 17/07/2016 19:36

It makes me think of west side story. Which is never a bad thing.

Hurricane99 · 17/07/2016 18:28

Not a name I'd pick myself, but it's inoffensive. I recently met an Annecye which has grown on me (although everyone mishears it as Alice at first)

iCloud · 17/07/2016 14:10

I have a Norwegian friend called Anita, lovely.

IoraRua · 17/07/2016 14:07

Nice name but a lot depends on your surname. Anita Goodman for example wouldn't be great...

SteviebunsBottrittrundle · 17/07/2016 13:26

Really lovely! I haven't heard it in ages.

I don't like Nanita though (sorry Winnie). Could you do Anita, nn Nancy if you are really don't want to use Nanette or just Nancy on the BC? It wouldn't occur to me to call an Anita Nancy for short, but if someone introduced themselves as Nancy I would obviously call them that, regardless of what was on their BC iyswim.

Houseconfusion · 17/07/2016 12:37

In India it's an Indian name that is very dated and would sound like the equivalent of a Gertrude or Joan.

winniemcgoogan · 17/07/2016 12:36

I like Anita and I like nanita it's on my list for a girls name so I can use my grans name Nancy as a nickname. But everyone seems to hate the longer versions I have picked out Sad

Mottled · 17/07/2016 11:44

It is ok but really like Anika.

Sophronia · 17/07/2016 11:31

I like it

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 17/07/2016 10:50

Really like itSmile

Allalonenow · 17/07/2016 10:49

It's a beautiful name, pretty for a little girl, and classy and sophisticated for a grown up.

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