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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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MalagaNights · 28/09/2021 23:45

India is lovely.

Mya/Mia/Maya/ all merge into one undefined name.

Anotherdayanotherdollar · 28/09/2021 23:39

I like both.

India seems very popular on this thread for a name others have condemned unusable... Hmm

Lockdownbear · 28/09/2021 23:32

Honestly I'd go back to the drawing board, Mya is really common just now and I'm not sure about India.

stardust40 · 28/09/2021 23:22

Love India ... lots of maya/Mia/myah about here.

WetShirtScene · 28/09/2021 23:18

@Balonzette

I just asked my (Indian) DH what he thinks about MN posters deciding India is unusable as a name and he said "It's one of those things where white people decide, on behalf of brown people, that they should be offended, but nobody I know in India would ever be offended by it."
I was thinking this, as well. I'm Indian and would think kindly of someone named India. It's a flattering name haha. And I prefer it to Mya/Mia which is just terribly overused.

Of course, I can't speak for the young British-born people of Indian ancestry -- they may think differently. That demographic seems more concerned with cultural appropriation and orientalism (at least compared to immigrants like myself).

You can't please everyone, OP. So if you love India, be bold and use it.

Buttons294749 · 28/09/2021 20:41

Not mya
India ok, Indira is beaut and indigo is nice.

Where in India did you meet? You could choose the name of the town? (If it's cute, not if it's like bengaluru or something 😂)

Original poster
Ari7890 · 28/09/2021 20:35

I do like Indigo but it was a no from my husband unfortunately!

OP posts:
Original poster
Ari7890 · 28/09/2021 20:35

@Balonzette thanks for this, I was wondering about the opinions of people with an Indian background / heritage as I’d be very concerned about offending people from India but less concerned about offending white people who are offended by the prospect of offending Indian people!

OP posts:
ThroughThickAndThin01 · 28/09/2021 17:48

Love India/Indie

Leeloo1233 · 28/09/2021 17:44

I'm not sure it's appropriate calling your child India. It's just strange and I feel like people wouldn't call their child Canada or Sweden. It's only cause India is perceived "exotic". Although I guess there are also names like London etc. Hmm

villamariavintrapp · 28/09/2021 16:22

Hmm @thinkover it's not really about being offended on behalf of others, it's about giving a baby a name which has negative associations to a lot of people.

KatherineSiena · 28/09/2021 16:12

@SecretKeeper1 has the best suggestion of Indigo with nn Indie. It certainly is more in keeping with your other daughter’s name.

thinkover · 28/09/2021 16:08

@balonzette Mumsnet love to be offended on behalf of others. Middle class PC brigade. Georgia has a history entrenched in slavery...that'll be offensive next.

AudTheDeepMinded · 28/09/2021 15:54

How about Indira (nn Indie), Sanskrit for beauty (although potential association with Indira Ghandi might not be what you want).

villamariavintrapp · 28/09/2021 15:49

I wouldn't use India if you're white British. Because of the colonial connotations. Maybe as a middle name if you feel it's got meaning for you.

Balonzette · 28/09/2021 15:09

I just asked my (Indian) DH what he thinks about MN posters deciding India is unusable as a name and he said "It's one of those things where white people decide, on behalf of brown people, that they should be offended, but nobody I know in India would ever be offended by it."

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 28/09/2021 15:08

India (nn Indie) sounds better with Cassandra (Cassie) to me - it was also used as a girls name before British colonial rule so I wouldn't be that worried about it personally.

Mya will regularly have to spell her name which she might find annoying - I think if you do go for Mya, at least go for the Greek Mythology Maia spelling, fits much better with her sisters name imo.

Balonzette · 28/09/2021 15:05

@daisypond

India is unusable these days. I wouldn’t inflict that on a child. I do know one who changed her name from that when she was about 12. So it’d have to be Mya. But I’d feel a bit short changed if I was called that when my sister was called Cassandra.
Why on earth do you think it is "unusable theae days"? It's a beautiful name.
SecretKeeper1 · 28/09/2021 14:59

Wasn’t it the vile Katie Hopkins who infamously slagged off people who use geographical names for children (eg Brooklyn) but whose daughter is called India?

GloomAndDoom · 28/09/2021 14:31

I hate India, unless you'd happily use Canada or Slovakia.

Mya is nice. Or Indigo as PP suggested.

bloominglovelyorange · 28/09/2021 14:27

Love India /Indie

millzcrawf · 28/09/2021 12:33

India / Indie has my vote

toastofthetown · 28/09/2021 11:55

I’m not a fan of India. It feels overtly colonial, only starting to be used as a name after British rule in India. I know it’s had a long use as a name and I don’t think she would be judged for her name but personally I’d avoid.

I prefer the Maia spelling and prefer the name it to India, despite its popularity. I’m not sure that a Mya would feel shortchanged with Cassandra as a sister. Personally I prefer Mya. Name taste is personal and your daughter may well prefer a short, simple name.

LaBellina · 28/09/2021 11:55

India is beautiful!
Not really a fan of Mya. I do like the name Mia.

TheWonderCat · 28/09/2021 11:53

I adore India, and Indie is such a cool nickname.

Not a fan of Mya, it’s really popular so makes it dull and overused. It just fits in with the sea of Mya/Mia/Myahs.