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Baby names

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

Original poster

Opinions on final two baby girl names

92 replies

Ari7890 · 28/09/2021 09:47

Me and my husband have really, really struggled to agree on a girls name. We have it down to two choices we both like (but are quite different).

We like India / Indie and Mya.

We actually met backpacking in India 11 years ago so there is some significance for us but I know it still has negative connotations for some so that's my only reservation. I do like that it's not very common and she's likely to be the only one in her class.

Mya I just love the sound of. I also like Maya but think there is more margin for error and confusion on pronunciation. We like the My-uh sound rather than May-uh. However....I know there are quite a few Mayas, Myas, Mias etc.

I guess we're torn between a popular name (but popular for a reason I'm sure!) or an unusual name that could have negative reactions for some....

We already have a 3 year old Cassandra / Cassie...also quite different to the two names!

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Original poster
Ari7890 · 29/09/2021 19:38

I asked for opinions so happy to hear the good and the bad! I think on balance feedback has been positive though and I personally think of India as a beautiful country where I met my daughters dad and fell in love rather than the history of the British raj. I think as others have pointed out, it seems to be white British people offended rather than people with Indian heritage.

OP posts:
TatianaBis · 29/09/2021 19:21

@MalagaNights

How very colonial to only view India through the prism of British rule.

I'm sure actual Indians think of many things about their country before they think of that.

Cloth-eared comment.

Context is everything. Not sure what ‘actual Indians’ are - but a person of Indian heritage using the name is completely different to a white British family using it - in which context it can only ever look colonial. I’ve never actually met a woman of Indian heritage called India, the nearest is Indira.

TatianaBis · 29/09/2021 19:16

Culturally insensitive choice OP.

Original poster
Ari7890 · 29/09/2021 18:54

Thanks everyone! I think we’re going to go with India...possibly India Grace so she has a more common ‘normal’ middle name to create some balance.

OP posts:
user1471604848 · 29/09/2021 17:00

India and Mya are both lovely names.

Indie is also nice, but I think if it as being slightly hippy - like the feminine of a name like Bodhi. I think because of indie music.

aSofaNearYou · 29/09/2021 12:05

I would go for Indie as I don't think it's a good idea for white British people to use India, and I would use the normal spelling of Maya. It looks much better and I've never heard anyone mispronounce it, I think changing it would add confusion rather than take it away.

Both lovely names, though!

TuftyMarmoset · 29/09/2021 11:59

Not Indie - I think Indie and Cassie are a bit twee together.

TatianaBis · 29/09/2021 11:48

India is colonial, Mya is dull compared to Cassandra & two a penny.

Aurelia
Raffaella nn Raffy
Venetia
Gabriella
Romilly nn Romy
Sienna

steppemum · 29/09/2021 08:18

Mya is a horrible spelling, it looks odd.
It also doesn;t help with pronunication, as I looked at it and wondered how you wanted me to say it.

I know loads of Maya/Maia's. For each one you just have to learn how it is said. Some use My-a and some use May-a.

ToadstoolBubbleMaker · 29/09/2021 08:16

India and Mya both nice although I like Maya for the spelling.

Indie I'm not keen on, feels very nick-namey to me and in Scotland it's associated with the independence movement. Not a good thing for me but I suppose for some it is! I do know a baby Indie and her parents are nationalists.

TheWayTheLightFalls · 29/09/2021 08:06

I really like PP's suggestion of Indigo. Then India nn Indie, then Maya. Mya looks mis-spelled to me.

postingfortraffichere · 29/09/2021 08:01

Sorry Mya!! Posted too quickly

postingfortraffichere · 29/09/2021 08:00

Myra

Peaseblossum22 · 29/09/2021 08:00

I like India and it goes with your older dd name but it’s certainly not unusual, I know loads, all three of my dc have friends called India and I know two baby India’s . I don’t dislike Mya but prefer Mia or Maia , also very very popular in all its spellings

HalzTangz · 29/09/2021 07:56

I know more India's than Mya, I personally prefer Mya

Sarcobaleno · 29/09/2021 07:45

Indie is lovely

GloomAndDoom · 29/09/2021 07:38

I didn't think it would upset anyone just thought it was weird to name a kid after somewhere you'd been backpacking.

thinkover · 29/09/2021 07:36

@MalagaNights

How very colonial to only view India through the prism of British rule.

I'm sure actual Indians think of many things about their country before they think of that.

This ^

And as for the Sweden, Nigeria comments…pfft some place names work some don’t. Some work so well people don’t make the association and are happy to call out place names then have children called Florence, Sienna, Charlotte, Victoria, Georgia, etc. Same as some nature names work like willow and holly but I’m yet to come across a pinecone.

Go for what you love OP. That’s all that matters because name choices are personal.

lemonsyellow · 29/09/2021 05:53

Not India. I don’t think the fact that you met backpacking there helps. If anything, it makes it worse. Would you have considered Kenya or Nigeria as names if you’d met there?

DarkDarkNight · 29/09/2021 00:05

Mya (though I would use the Maia spelling as well, it’s more pleasing to the eye).

I’m not keen on India, it has yuppie connotations to me and I don’t think it is aged well.

luckymagnoliatree · 29/09/2021 00:04

I know a little girl called Indiana, nickname Indie, could be an alternative option if you decide against India. I prefer India to Mya Smile

MalagaNights · 28/09/2021 23:56

Gosh.
Entire countries and histories are so easily summed up by some.

British rule.
Sexism.
That's India.

Most people though will have a wide variety of associations with the varied culture and history of India.

Spikeyplants · 28/09/2021 23:55

I like both names. My name was uncommon, but not extremely 'out there' as a child. I was always the only one at my school with the name- which I loved.

We had 4 Rebeccas, 4 Sarahs and 3 Ambers in my year at high school! I was so grateful to have a different name. My middle name is Elizabeth and was told that if I hated my Christian name, I could choose the many variants of that instead- Beth, Betty, Liz etc. It might be something to consider, although I doubt she'd want to change it.

MalagaNights · 28/09/2021 23:51

How very colonial to only view India through the prism of British rule.

I'm sure actual Indians think of many things about their country before they think of that.

imnotacelebritygetmeoutofhere · 28/09/2021 23:50

I couldn't name my daughter after a country where women are inherently treated as an inferior species, even if you did have fun backpacking there. So I'd go for Mya, although as a previous poster said, the more classic spelling of Maia is pretty.