How would you pronounce Aryan?

The Sanskrit term comes from proto-Indo-Iranian arya- or aryo-, the name used by the Indo-Iranians to designate themselves. ... In Iranian languages, the original self-identifier lives on in ethnic names like "Alans" and "Iron". Similarly, the name of Iran is the Persian word for land/place of the Aryans. (Thanks wiki)

So it is Persian but most people know that the word was pinched by the national socialists and is therefore now generally known by that association. Nowt to do with colonialism, the raj, Indian independence, etc.

Quite a lot of names in India and Pakistan have Persian roots. It wasn't all that long ago that kids were taught Persian in Indian schools and there are still elderly Indians you bump into that speak it.

The Nazis rotated the swastika on its side.

While I wasn't aware Aaryan was in use as an Indian name, the origin of the use of the word Aryan in the west isn't quite how it's represented here.

The theosophists (Mme Blavatsky et al) used the term for the whole human race since Atlantis (!) which they claim was about 100,000 years ago. At that point there was no colour or individual race associated with the term, it was all human beings on earth since x time.

Through whacky, racist, supremacist, esoteric theories in Germany and Austria at the time, it developed into denoting white humans specifically. Which is how the Nazis used it. (Some of the top Nazis including Hitler and Himmler were very much into weird dark occult stuff). The familiar upshot being that the term is inextricably linked to Nazi ideology.

HaHaHmm
I wonder what the general level of knowledge of the details of colonial rule and the British Raj, Indian independence, or partition is for the average Briton or European.

Do you wonder that? Why? Do you think the details of colonial rule is comparable to the overarching belief behind the world's biggest genocide?

No - I have family in the states who considered the name for a nanosecond (traditional name) before choosing another name for their child.

It makes sense not to select a name fir a child who is born and live in a country where 99% of the population will think 'wtf? Nazis??'. Why would you?

Not quite Haha.

Nazism was big part of WW2. World War2, so it's not something associated with only one country or even a continent.

Also, OP is asking on an UK forum.

Don't be silly HaHa, only western history is supreme.

Aaryan is a really popular Indian name OP, even in the UK, and nobody apart from mumsnet take any offence to it.

I also like Nayan which has the same feel as Aaryan.

If you are saying you don't, of course I have to believe you, but I almost weep to think about the lack of general knowledge that exists nowadays.

I wonder what the general level of knowledge of the details of colonial rule and the British Raj, Indian independence, or partition is for the average Briton or European.

Wow, people are rude. Aaryan is a Sanskrit word for leader/noble. Hindus haven't stopped using the swastika either if you want to be rude about that. I don't see why we should have to let go of our heritage because a madman adopted it.

Go for it OP, it's a lovely name. Aarav and Aadi are beautiful as well. Aarav means peace and Aadi means first and foremost.

How is something associated with one of the worst ideologies bollocks?

Surely you realise this might come across as minimising?

It's not bollocks Step. Ignoring the connotations would be insane.

Tbf in school (in India) we learnt all the major events of the world war, and about the holocaust, but not in detail about what the Nazis believed. Not defending it, but it's not as widely taught in places where it's much less relevant esp 20 years ago pre internet etc.

Icloud54
Oh my gosh! Did not no it had a link with the nazis. Oops!

Did not know about Hitler's view of the Aryan race? I cannot begin to comprehend how anyone could not know that. If you are saying you don't, of course I have to believe you, but I almost weep to think about the lack of general knowledge that exists nowadays.

I'm south Asian too, and while the name does not have Nazi connotations it definitely is used as a signifier of being fair / upper caste / superior. In contrast to Dravidian - i.e. Being dark, lower caste. It carries racist connotations but not within the tightly knit communities that choose such names.
However you spell it though it is the same name - Aryan - denoting a race of people thought to be fair and conquerors (except history doesn't quite agree with this narrative).

I'd be very wary of giving a child that name if they were to be raised in Europe / the U.K. / the US, or in southern parts of India.

Step Obviously there's no such thing as a master race, but it was a belief (and policy) propagated by the Nazis and many people were killed because they weren't "Aryan".

So you can call it bullshit as much as you like, but the facts remain that in most countries affected by WWII, the majority of people will have negative associations with the name.

Oh don't be daft! Master-race - bollocks!

It's an ordinary name, just not an English name. Baltic, I think.

I know a boy and a man called 'Aryan'. One pronounces it Arry-an, the other (h)Urry-un. One writes it Arian, I don't know how the other writes it.

Do you mean Arjan which is also pronounced 'ar-e-yan'?

I would say Are-yun. I’ve come across a couple. Both were Iranian if I remember correctly.

Just looked it up - it comes from the Sanskrit word meaning ‘noble’. Co-opted by the Nazis, along with the swastika.

I also know an Aryan of Indian heritage. It’s a reasonably common name.

Ah was wondering if you were thinking if the Asian name . I know a child of Indian descent called Aryan, his is pronounced Arriyun.

The name Aryan originated from India, nazis adopted it for their purposes.

Whatever way you spell it, I definitely wouldn’t use this name. Poor kid would never hear the end of it!

Your spell it close to aryan in farsi but since it's a different alphabet it's not an exact science

Aarian is usual indian spelling