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Baby names

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

Original poster

Asa

63 replies

BabyInWaiting · 27/06/2017 14:52

I have a lovely baby boy named Asa but have been having serious doubts about his name.
We chose it because I loved the meaning - Healer - and it fitted with our other children's unusual names.
We look ages to name him and there were no other names we both really agreed on. I've never been 100% sure. My husband loves his name. But when I tell people his name I am getting a lot of blank looks and am thinking that I have saddled him with name that will be a burden - both in people's opinions of it and in them mispronouncing it as Ass-ah. It's meant to be Ay-Sah.

Should I change it? What do you think when you hear the name Asa?

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BishopBrennansArse · 27/06/2017 18:46

We had a kid at school 25 years ago called Asa. It's not too 'out there'.

daisypond · 27/06/2017 18:44

I like it too. I think Asa Briggs historian, too. He's the only Asa I'm immediately aware of.

64PooLane · 27/06/2017 18:08

I like it. My first association is Asa Briggs (historian).

TomaszCanSchafernakerMeAnytime · 27/06/2017 18:06

Love Asa! I mentioned the name to my friend when she was pregnant and she loved it but her DH said no unfortunately.

Raines100 · 27/06/2017 17:19

Don't change it! Asa is a bona fide name, and it's lovely.

TheSeaTheSkyTheSeaTheSkyyyyyy · 27/06/2017 16:59

Also, the blank looks are probably just lack of recognition.

TheSeaTheSkyTheSeaTheSkyyyyyy · 27/06/2017 16:59

I think it's an awesome name. I wanted to use it but where we live it is an everyday word so it would be a bit weird.

I don't understand the "ass-ah" pronunciation. There's only one s, so it would more likely be azz-ah, like the s in is, was, as, etc.

And anyway, as soon as you correct people once, they'll know. Plenty of names have different possible pronunciations, I don't think it's a big deal.

Still wish I could use it for my next DS tbh :(

DramaAlpaca · 27/06/2017 16:53

I'm familiar with the name & how to pronounce it. It's unusual but I like it. Don't change it.

ElusiveDuck · 27/06/2017 16:51

I pronounced it 'Ay-Sah' from the start. It's a nice name.

CountryCaterpillar · 27/06/2017 15:31

I was thinking trees!!

I think trees is better than being called Ass er a lot (Id have read that as a teacher but of course once you know you'd say the correct name!)

TheSleeperandTheSpindle · 27/06/2017 15:28

Lovely, biblical name. Considered it for my DS but didn't work with our surname.

Wouldn't change the spelling to Acer because that reminds me of laptops Grin

Parsley1234 · 27/06/2017 15:28

Beautiful name don't change it it's great

Sophronia · 27/06/2017 15:23

I definitely wouldn't change the spelling to Acer! Isn't that a brand of laptops? Asa is a real name.

Sophronia · 27/06/2017 15:21

I absolutely love it! I would only pronounce it ay-sa.

Popchyck · 27/06/2017 15:16

Ay-Sah like Asa Hartford, the former footballer.

Great name.

Original poster
BabyInWaiting · 27/06/2017 15:15

My other kids names are quite unusual so sure they would out me!

OP posts:
BeanSprout79 · 27/06/2017 15:14

I love the name. I went to primary school with an Asa and my nephew (in law) is called Asa and he is a lovely cheeky chap.

MrsHathaway · 27/06/2017 15:14

I think of our friend Acer who was an Olympian and is much missed. Clever and determined. Resilient and resourceful.

I think Acer spelling is more obvious. I know Asa is said the same but I have to remember to remember IYSWIM.

Original poster
BabyInWaiting · 27/06/2017 15:12

Not sure about homeland. Not seen it for years.

Asa Butterfield was my first hearing of the name when pregnant. maybe it's not as unusual as I thought.

OP posts:
Jooni · 27/06/2017 15:11

I want to know what your other kids are called now Grin

Jooni · 27/06/2017 15:11

I know how to pronounce it and absolutely love it. Stick with it, it's a gorgeous name!

Unadon · 27/06/2017 15:09

I'd pronounce it as Ah-sah if I saw it on paper.

CountryCaterpillar · 27/06/2017 15:09

I'd have said Ass and wondered at the name.

Maybe Acer?

nuggetofchicken · 27/06/2017 15:09

I've always said Ay-sah.

MrsTerryPratchett · 27/06/2017 15:09

Actually I checked and it's Issa on Homeland, which sounds the same but I think looks more like it sounds.