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Baby names

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

Original poster

Nina

94 replies

PinkCheetah · 31/10/2021 19:46

What do you think? I've liked the name Nina for years and found out last week I'm having a little girl. 🥰 It's not a name I hear often at all really and I don't know anyone personally with this name I just wonder if maybe it's outdated or old fashion?

Other names I've considered are Margot or Matilda.

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RandomRoulette · 03/11/2021 00:26

Nina's a lovely name.

It is one that I like written down better than said out loud though.

Verfremdungseffekt · 03/11/2021 00:23

[quote CatsArePeople]@CatsArePeople, are you suggesting pronouncing it as ‘NINE-a’ to rhyme with China?

No. Short vowel. Like Linda or Kim.[/quote]
I’ve never come across it pronounced that way, always ‘Neena’. Where were the Ninas who pronounced it with a short ‘i’ from?

NoSquirrels · 02/11/2021 23:34

[quote CatsArePeople]@CatsArePeople, are you suggesting pronouncing it as ‘NINE-a’ to rhyme with China?

No. Short vowel. Like Linda or Kim.[/quote]
Nin-ah?

I really can’t fathom your pronunciation. It’s unlikely any Nina I’ve ever heard!

blisstwins · 02/11/2021 23:00

Fantastic name. Russians use it too. So international and beautiful.

CatsArePeople · 02/11/2021 22:56

@CatsArePeople, are you suggesting pronouncing it as ‘NINE-a’ to rhyme with China?

No. Short vowel. Like Linda or Kim.

Leeloo1233 · 02/11/2021 21:50

Nina was super common in Scandinavia in the 90's, a bit like Sharon or Lauren or something, so for that reason I wouldn't use it but if it's less unusual in the UK why not!

Bathtoy · 02/11/2021 21:15

@CatsArePeople, are you suggesting pronouncing it as ‘NINE-a’ to rhyme with China?

NoSquirrels · 02/11/2021 21:08

@CatsArePeople

Nice, easy, international. But i don't like how some pronounce it Neena
But that’s how you pronounce it? Confused
Boofay · 02/11/2021 21:00

@SunShinesBrightly
Nina is pronounced Neena.

Nenah is Nayna.

Arrowheart · 02/11/2021 20:57

It's such a beautiful name!

Bathtoy · 02/11/2021 20:44

[quote AosSi]@DramaAlpaca interesting. Might be within "tipp"ing distance, eh?

Btw if you aren't Irish, the above will make no senseGrin[/quote]
Ah, lads. Who wouldn’t want to be called after the hometown of Julian Gough and Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill? Grin

SunShinesBrightly · 02/11/2021 20:15

@CatsArePeople

Nice, easy, international. But i don't like how some pronounce it Neena
Save me from RTFT - how do you pronounce it? I know a 50 something year old Nina (Neena) Do you say Nay-na? As in Neneh Cherry?
CatsArePeople · 02/11/2021 15:44

Nice, easy, international. But i don't like how some pronounce it Neena

DotDotDotDotDot · 01/11/2021 17:26

I really like the name Nina, it would be pretty high on my list if I have another DD.
I like that it’s short, easy to spell/pronounce and has an international feel. I have met a few Ninas over the years and they have all been from a range of ages and backgrounds. This I like in a name as I think most people wouldn’t have any preconceived ideas about what a Nina would be like.
I do like Matilda though too, although I’m less keen on nn’s Tilly & Tilda. Margot is not for me. Good luck choosing.

Lemonlemon88 · 01/11/2021 11:39

Nina is lovely.

Kitkat151 · 01/11/2021 11:33

Not Margot....it’s very ‘now’ ....loads of them around at nurseries....it will go out of fashion...I think Nina is a fine name....my friends DD is Nina ....she’s 21 and gorgeous 😁

Heartsandroses · 01/11/2021 11:25

I know a lady called Nina
Beautiful woman inside and out (my son renamed the poor woman nee-naw as he couldn’t say Nina which stuck!)
I’d go for it-it’s fresh and classic

Amdone123 · 01/11/2021 11:01

@PinkCheetah, ooh so glad you like Nancy! I went to college with a girl called Nancy and her sister was Esther. Have loved those names ever since.

Timeforwinterclothes · 01/11/2021 10:31

I know a beautiful and cute Nina. Great choice.

Caspianberg · 01/11/2021 10:25

We liked Nina, but then asked 3 people and they all said ‘ sounds like an ambulance’..
We had a boy in the end, but it did put me off a bit even though it’s a really nice name.

Nora
Alma
Nell

Original poster
PinkCheetah · 01/11/2021 10:20

@Amdone123

I think the reason you don't hear many is because it's a hidden gem. I can see it rising in popularity but that wouldn't put me off. I don't like Margot. Much prefer Martha, Esther, Nancy. Love Matilda.
I love Nancy! I dismissed it because it didn't sound right with the surnames, but now thinking about it again.
OP posts:
Original poster
PinkCheetah · 01/11/2021 10:18

@Boofay

I'm Nina. I'm a 40 year old Nina in fact. Here's some thoughts I'd had about my name in my lifetime.

It's unusual - I've not heard of many Nina's at all growing up. More popular these days but still quite uncommon.

The emergency vehicle siren thing is real. My childhood was spent with people going "Neeenooor! Neeeeenoooor!" It used to annoy me greatly as a kid. People wouldn't dare say that to me these days.

The rarity of my name has meant people remember my name easily.

It's nice and short, so easy to spell (for most! 😬)

Unlike what someone said above, it absolutely can and will be shortened. Lots of people try to call me Neens, Neen or Ne. It's annoying and only my dad was allowed to call me that. Also nicknames include Neeny and Neenooo.

Expect some people to pronounce it wrong even though it's an easy name to say.

All in all, I like my name and I'm glad I was called Nina.

Your reply was so useful and a good insight for someone who has actually lived with the name. I can't believe people can still get the pronunciation wrong! 😂
OP posts:
Amdone123 · 01/11/2021 07:54

I think the reason you don't hear many is because it's a hidden gem. I can see it rising in popularity but that wouldn't put me off.
I don't like Margot. Much prefer Martha, Esther, Nancy.
Love Matilda.

Boofay · 01/11/2021 07:15

I'm Nina. I'm a 40 year old Nina in fact.
Here's some thoughts I'd had about my name in my lifetime.

It's unusual - I've not heard of many Nina's at all growing up. More popular these days but still quite uncommon.

The emergency vehicle siren thing is real. My childhood was spent with people going "Neeenooor! Neeeeenoooor!" It used to annoy me greatly as a kid. People wouldn't dare say that to me these days.

The rarity of my name has meant people remember my name easily.

It's nice and short, so easy to spell (for most! 😬)

Unlike what someone said above, it absolutely can and will be shortened. Lots of people try to call me Neens, Neen or Ne. It's annoying and only my dad was allowed to call me that. Also nicknames include Neeny and Neenooo.

Expect some people to pronounce it wrong even though it's an easy name to say.

All in all, I like my name and I'm glad I was called Nina.

UsernameIsHarderThanBabyName · 01/11/2021 07:00

Gorgeous name. Was on our list