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Original poster

Genevieve or Anoushka

60 replies

Whatareyoutalkingabout · 21/05/2019 06:25

Which do you prefer and why?

We love Genevieve and had settled on it but we have Indian background and thought it might be nice to use a name with Indian heritage, but the only one I like is Anoushka and I'm worried the name is vaguely ridiculous in the UK - must admit that even to me it conjures up images of a fabulous eccentric elderly woman who used to work in showbiz and now wears one of those cool old-showbiz-lady turbans and long silk cardigans etc. You know? Who calls everyone dahling and smokes cigarettes from a long cigarette holder.

Also like Lorelei, but again, don't think it tops Genevieve. (I know a Lorelei is a siren who lures men to their doom but I quite like that about the name).

Nickname wise we like Eve or Vivi for Genevieve, Annie for Anoushka (DH likes Anu, I guess is how you'd spell it, which is the Indian nickname (or at least the nickname for this name in his part of India). I can't say properly because of my accent but which sounds a little like An-oo. I'd stick with Annie due to loving it and not being able to properly pronounce the alternative!) I like both Rory and Lorie for Lorelei.

Any thoughts?

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Purplelavenders · 21/05/2019 17:34

en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/Geneviève

In French it's Je ne vee èv

daisypond · 21/05/2019 17:22

But isn’t the French zhon-vee-ev? Where’s the fourth syllable?

ladybee28 · 21/05/2019 17:09

For me, Genevieve (which is one of my absolute FAVOURITE names) is more elegant, while Anoushka (which I also really like) is a bit more playful and cheeky.

I used to work a teenage cafe job with an Anoushka (Nush for short) who was a beautiful firecracker of a kid, so maybe that's affecting my view of the name's 'personality'.

I like them both, but they elicit different feelings in me...

Teddybear45 · 21/05/2019 17:07

Anoushka is a very common and popular Indian name. I personally wouldn’t use it and I’m Indian.

If you want something to celebrate the Indian part of her heritage the name has to mean something - maybe a name after an Indian female relative, or something religious/ cultural.

Purplelavenders · 21/05/2019 17:05

In French it has 4 syllables. But the last 2 run into each other: ee ev.

daisypond · 21/05/2019 17:03

It’s surely only got three syllables in both the English and French versions?

Purplelavenders · 21/05/2019 16:41

I didn't say Jenna-vee-ev but Je ne vee ev.

paintwater · 21/05/2019 15:47

Purplelavenders
I’ve only ever heard it pronounced Jenna-veev (in UK and have met several) and seen reference to it being pronounced Gene-vee-EV in France but never come across Jenna-vee-ev. Seems like a cross between the English and French pronunciations

Purplelavenders · 21/05/2019 14:01

Genevieve is lovely (Jenna-veev, yes?)

No, I'd say Je ne vee ev with the emphasis on the last syllable EV.

Messalena · 21/05/2019 13:53

I love Genevieve! Very classic, timeless and sophisticated, but not common, with lots of lovely nickname options.

daisypond · 21/05/2019 13:50

Is spelling it Anushka a possibility? That’s more Indian than Russian to me.

number1wang · 21/05/2019 13:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

woodcutbirds · 21/05/2019 13:42

I love Genevieve. Cool nicknames Vivi (which means lively) and Gene or Genie.

Anoushka does sound Russian to me.

daisypond · 21/05/2019 13:39

It’s fine to use Anoushka if you have Indian/Russian heritage. It’s a lovely name. It maybe only sounds over the top if you haven’t got those links.

VioletCharlotte · 21/05/2019 13:38

I know a couple of adult Anoushka's, neither are Indian. I think it's a nice name but it will be shortened to 'Noush'

I'm not keen on Genevieve, but what's important is what you like.

Original poster
Whatareyoutalkingabout · 21/05/2019 13:31

I'm feeling so confused about Anoushka! Some really positive and really negative responses - maybe it's a bit of a marmite name?

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Original poster
Whatareyoutalkingabout · 21/05/2019 13:30

About the Russian / Indian thing, weirdly it is both. In Russia it's apparently a pet name for Anna, but in India it's a name it's own right

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outsho · 21/05/2019 13:10

I prefer Genevieve. Anoushka sounds very Russian.

manicinsomniac · 21/05/2019 12:19

I absolutely love Anoushka but I'm another one who thought it was a Russian name. I knew an Anoushka when I was little (she was White British, I don't know about her parents though). I've never met another one.

Genevieve is also lovely but would be my second choice.

ChloePenny · 21/05/2019 10:44

I like Genevieve
Don’t like Anoushka at all! Think it’s the ‘noush’ Sound that I don’t like. As a PP said, it’s a Russian name to me

Sophronia · 21/05/2019 10:01

I know an Annika with Indian heritage. She goes Annie too. I prefer that to Anoushka.

Sophronia · 21/05/2019 10:00

I like both, but prefer Genevieve.

shumway · 21/05/2019 09:49

I like both.

DameSylvieKrin · 21/05/2019 09:48

Anoushka Rue
Anoushka Wren

Proseccofuelled · 21/05/2019 09:20

Anoushka sounds Russian to me?
Genevieve is much nicer