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Baby names

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

Original poster

Roxana? Roxanna?

38 replies

micc · 22/07/2020 08:29

How would you pronounce these names?

I would say Rox-ah-na for Roxana
And Rox-an-ah for Roxanna?

I prefer Roxana, as does my partner. We love the nn Roxy, I know some people might have their opinions on it but I honestly think they are dated opinions.

I know Roxana is a Persian name. So I want to make sure the ah-na prounaction is correct. :)

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SmeleanorSmellstrop · 11/01/2021 09:37

I thought they were both said "Rox-anna"

MisiSam · 11/01/2021 08:00

Hi op I know this post is old but wondered if you had chosen this name in the end? It's the name we have chosen for our little girl due in April Grin

PoodleMoth · 24/08/2020 18:48

I'd say both Anna, prefer the ana spelling and if you told me it was pronounced differently I would use the way you wanted to pronounce it. I love Roxy (personally prefer Roxie spelling) it was in my top 3!

Oneandabean · 24/08/2020 18:15

I’d say both the same, with -Anna. I’ve never heard it said differently

Original poster
micc · 24/08/2020 18:07

Cool! Thanks for all your comments.
Definitely going to stick with the Ana way of saying it and hope people cotton on! Haha

OP posts:
ladycarlotta · 24/08/2020 16:15

I would read Roxana the -ahna way, definitely. I really like it.

The Persian spelling is Rukhsana, if that is an option? But it might just be more confusing if you have no heritage of that kind.

Zebrasinpyjamas · 24/08/2020 15:49

I'd say it the way you've written (I'm in the SE).
I think it's a good name albeit one you don't hear much.

TurnipLegsSwedeFeet · 24/08/2020 15:47

I say bath and grass not barth and grarse, which I think would lead me down the road of saying 'anna' at the end regardless of how many ns there are.

If I was specifically told it was arna I would definitely get it right.

netflixismysidehustle · 24/08/2020 15:39

I think that Frozen has led to more children being open to Anna being pronounced Ar-na

I think that adults in the UK people will say Rox-an-a more often because of the name Roxanne which is a famous song.

I'd go for the pronunciation that you like and just correct as necessary.

MikeUniformMike · 24/08/2020 15:34

Rosanna - nice
Roxana/Roxanna - trashy

Not sure if I'd say ah-na or anna for Roxana, but I generally dislike the -iana (Ariana, Juliana, Viviana, etc) names; the -ee-AH-nuh takes over from the pretty part of the name Julia nice, Juliana - not nice.

user1477391263 · 24/08/2020 13:57

Definitely "Ah-na" for me (not "anna").

I love it, OP. It's a name with such a truly ancient lineage.

Cbeebiesrehab · 24/08/2020 09:54

I would say Rox-ar-na. My cousin has just had a Roxy. It’s had a very marmite reaction. She is just Roxy on her BC.

VenusClapTrap · 24/08/2020 09:35

I would pronounce it with a short ‘a’ because I’m northern. Once it had been pointed out to me that you prefer Rox-ar-na though I would switch to pronouncing it your preferred way.

Original poster
micc · 24/08/2020 07:53

Interesting, I've asked this on reddit and it was about 70%-30% people saying that would say Anna..
While on here it's quite split.
Would you think it was weird if I said oh no its pronounced Ana. It's not wrong is it? It's just a matter of opinion and how you want to say it?
I'm not mad at the Anna way of saying it so It wont keep me awake at night Haha, I just prefer the Ana. My OH said he would literally only ever call her Roxy, as he never calls our dd by her full name which I dont mind at all as we initially loved Roxy.
I think of names like Alana, Lana or Ariana that's why I thought Ana...

OP posts:
PlantPotting · 22/08/2020 17:55

The most lovely beautiful name OP
I agree with your pronunciations you've set out

Mashingthecompost · 22/08/2020 17:49

Another unhelpful comment coming, sorry - Roxana makes me think of Lwaxana Troi from Star Trek (she was annoying, but beloved). Perhaps more helpful, I think a lot of people will mispronounce it and use the -anna suffix.

Original poster
micc · 22/08/2020 13:44

I want to bump this up too see if I can get a few more opinions:)

OP posts:
Enterthedragons · 23/07/2020 19:26

I love it and it was almost my DDs name! We were going to use Roxana but would still have pronounced it Rox-anna.

Original poster
micc · 23/07/2020 09:52

Thank you, I feel the same!
We had a moment with it and we both loved it.

Interesting comments about the Persian way of saying it. I did a bit of research and I was just a bit worried about saying it wrong! I'm not too fussed about it being the correct Persian way and I like the spelling of Roxana. I was worried that was the spelling they use and I was saying it wrong!

I know this name will divide people, but I really dont understand! It's not like its offensive Haha

I think Roxy goes well with our last name too. Haven't officially decided but I think I'm pretty settled :) thanks for your help!

OP posts:
QuintusEstInHorto · 23/07/2020 09:16

Funny isn't it? I also hate Roxanne but love Roxana ( pronounced Ana). I was at school with one, unusually not Persian etc, but always thought she had an amazing name!

NameChange84 · 23/07/2020 08:22

I think it’s a lovely and refreshing change to be honest! And Roxy is an adorable nickname.

caribooshriek · 23/07/2020 00:23

Anyway, I think Roxanna is lovely but really don't like Roxanne. Illogical!Smile

caribooshriek · 23/07/2020 00:21

Roxanna pronounced Rox-Anna?

Original poster
micc · 23/07/2020 00:10

Dont really feel that way. I see it as unhelpful as I didnt ask for opinions I asked about pronunciation.

It's ok you feel a certain way about it. But others like it, so I dont really see why it's an issue.

OP posts:
Miljea · 23/07/2020 00:00

Or maybe don't look upon some as 'unhelpful'; more 'prescient'?

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