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Baby names

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

Original poster

Dasha

69 replies

Pluto30 · 22/11/2016 20:19

What do you all think of the name Dasha (for a girl)?

We wanted to use it for DD1 but thought it wasn't usable enough in non-Russian culture. It's traditionally a nickname for Darya/Daria but we don't like the full name and don't think Dasha from Daria would come naturally for people where we live.

But we're looking at using it this time 'round. Just not sure if it is unusable. Or just horrible and we're blinded? Grin

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Original poster
Pluto30 · 23/11/2016 10:15

I'm just not convinced that the reindeer thing would be a problem.

It's not a bad association. Just an association. Even if it were a thing, it'd only be that way for a small amount of time before being a non-issue, surely?

I can find faults with all of the names we've chosen, really. Sad

OP posts:
Bluntness100 · 23/11/2016 08:37

I also thought it was a dogs name when I saw if written, sorry, I think it may be cultural. I'm sure if I met anyone with the name I wouldn't think that though.

BertrandRussell · 23/11/2016 08:35

"People are still called Rudolph."

Well, they aren't, actually! None since 2008, and only 7 since 1996.

I hesitated to post that, because I suspect it might lead to a flurry of little Mumsnet Rudolphs, followed by another flurry of outraged "people keep making jokes about my baby having a red nose" posts in a couple of years time........

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 23/11/2016 08:33

I immediately thought of reindeer, sorry.
I love Daria though.

atticusclaw2 · 23/11/2016 08:31

Reindeer

BertrandRussell · 23/11/2016 08:29

I just think, and I have said before, that life can be hard, and why would we deliberately do anything that might make a child's life even a little bit harder?

Obviously nobody might ever make the reindeer connection. But somebody might make it in the first term of Reception and it could follow her to 6th form. Obviously nobody might ever say "Dasha, just dash along to ....." - but people might. Why risk it?

Gruffalosfriend · 23/11/2016 08:23

Lovely name

I wouldn't worry about reindeer associations because they're forgotten the instant anyone meets a real life Dasha!

LestatVonGaribaldi · 23/11/2016 08:22

As above the problem in the UK is that Dasha is most commonly known as a reindeer. I can't think of any examples but I there must be names that are popular in the UK which are considered unusable in other countries for similar reasons.

I like Daria though (was on our list and we're not in the remotely Russian/ex-Soviet)

Sophronia · 23/11/2016 07:59

My first though was reindeer too, unfortunately.

TheWiseOldElf · 23/11/2016 07:44

I really like it. I doubt everyone would immediately leap to 'reindeer' if it was't the run up to Christmas. Any anyway, so what? It's not the worst association is it? People are still called Rudolph.

DavidPuddy · 22/11/2016 23:16

Would assume Daria was the full name and that you were a Russian family. I like the name and I have never thought if reindeer when talking to the Dasha I know.

Shadowboy · 22/11/2016 23:15

My m said it was quite a popular name when she was younger. I like it. I love soviet names. (I have one though)

rainbow99 · 22/11/2016 23:10

My first thought was reindeer too, dasher and prancer. Sorry

Confusednotcom · 22/11/2016 23:09

I really like Darya for boy or girl. Sorry but I did immediately think of prancer and vixen et al...

Brokenbiscuit · 22/11/2016 23:07

I think Dasha is lovely. Smile

misson · 22/11/2016 23:01

Oops, posted too soon.

I am very open minded about names from different cultures. I also think it's common to see how a name might go down 'out of context' so to speak. Words and names have different meanings.

I think Daria is beautiful. Am afraid Dasha also made me think reindeer.

misson · 22/11/2016 22:58

I am very ope

WanderingTrolley1 · 22/11/2016 22:58

As long as it's not spelt "-A"

HoratioNightboy · 22/11/2016 22:56

My first (and only) thought was an abbreviation of the fabled La-a. But despite that I do rather like it.

TheWayYouLookTonight · 22/11/2016 22:39

Despite never having heard it before, I like it. I didn't immediately think of reindeer.

Not sure if it's of any use at all, but I was at school with a Dara which I always thought was a nice name.

Pemba · 22/11/2016 22:37

It's a Russian thing I think. There's also Masha and Sasha etc. Maybe we should be a bit more open-minded about names from different cultures?

SeveredPixieBits · 22/11/2016 22:33

I thought it was a reindeer inspired Christmas name too. Oops.

user1479835256 · 22/11/2016 22:27

Thought you were going to say it was for a dog. Sorry.

There is Dechen

Or Tasha?

justdontevenfuckingstart · 22/11/2016 20:48

Pluto was Dasha. Very nice.

OliviaBensonOnAGoodDay · 22/11/2016 20:40

It's on our list. But DP is from the former Soviet Union, so not Russian but Russian speaking.