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Baby names

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

Original poster

Which name - Anya or Maia?

36 replies

onewoollymammoth · 30/07/2022 20:45

Please help - we have our baby due in two weeks and still can't decide which name to choose!

I liked Anya (Pronounced Ann-ya) as it seems underused and is sweet and short yet still a bit exotic, but Maia (pronounced My-a) has always been on my list because it has some beautiful meanings and is soft and sweet but seems to have got very popular lately, and I'm worried about it being misspelt and mispronounced a lot which I don't want my daughter to constantly have problems with.

Overall I wanted a short, sweet, pretty name, not too common, easy to say and spell and with a beautiful meaning.

Which do you think is the nicest name overall and why?

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Luredbyapomegranate · 06/08/2022 22:31

Anya

Maia is way overused in all forms and pronunciations, and also spelt that way you will have a lot of people saying it Maya

Annis, Annalise also nice. And I like Anna too

Original poster
onewoollymammoth · 04/08/2022 11:10

Thanks all for your replies, I agree with what pp have said. A lot to think about ...

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WinterMusings · 02/08/2022 20:12

Another for Anya.

despite a PP's daughter having not had any issues with Maia that's very uncommon.too many variable in saying/spelling.

why make her (&your) life difficult when you have a pretty alternative that you like??

Flowiththebow · 02/08/2022 20:12

LOVE Anya!!

Twillow · 02/08/2022 20:07

They are both lovely names.

Original poster
onewoollymammoth · 02/08/2022 20:06

CharlotteOH · 30/07/2022 22:45

Both lovely, my preference is for Anya.

Just going to throw these out there too
Ayla
Alys

Love Ayla so beautiful than you

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Original poster
onewoollymammoth · 02/08/2022 20:05

Cathpot · 31/07/2022 15:38

I am a teacher and this year taught 3 girls pronounced ‘mee ya’ ( Maya) ‘my a’ (Maya) - and ‘may a’ ( Mia) . It’s my number one ‘pause and think’ moment taking a register ( along with Cian which for no good reason puts me into a slight brain melt)
I would go with Anya- less common and easy to get right.

That's really interesting, thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
onewoollymammoth · 02/08/2022 20:04

WomanHere · 31/07/2022 16:37

I think the name Zara would also fit your requirements.

We have added this to the list too thank you

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Original poster
onewoollymammoth · 02/08/2022 20:04

Thanks a lot for all your replies, I think it's clear that Anya is the favourite. Thank you!

OP posts:
KirstenBlest · 31/07/2022 21:05

Anya.
Maia disappears into the Maya, Mya, Mia, May type names

AppleBottomRats · 31/07/2022 17:11

Definitely Anya - it's lovely and easy to spell and pronounce.

yikesanotherbooboo · 31/07/2022 16:45

I like both but prefer Anya. I agree with your pronunciation and spelling of Maia .

WomanHere · 31/07/2022 16:37

I think the name Zara would also fit your requirements.

MrsB902 · 31/07/2022 16:32

They are both lovely names but I LOVE Anya. This was on my list but we ended up having a boy. Congratulations on your baby ❤️

Squidgoals · 31/07/2022 16:11

Anya's a really lovely name but Maia's better, but then my DD1 is named Maia so I'm biased. We had very few issues with the spelling and pronunciation - she got a few birthday cards for somebody called 'Mia' and a friend of mine used to call her 'Mayer' for no good reason, but that was it.
She was born in 2001 and is yet to meet another Maia her age, I'm not sure how she'll feel about her name becoming popular!

PraiseBee · 31/07/2022 15:42

Anya - love it

Cathpot · 31/07/2022 15:38

I am a teacher and this year taught 3 girls pronounced ‘mee ya’ ( Maya) ‘my a’ (Maya) - and ‘may a’ ( Mia) . It’s my number one ‘pause and think’ moment taking a register ( along with Cian which for no good reason puts me into a slight brain melt)
I would go with Anya- less common and easy to get right.

FlissyPaps · 31/07/2022 15:30

Love both of these names.

Anya is on my list for girls. With “Maia” you may get people pronouncing it “May-a”.

hattie43 · 31/07/2022 15:28

Maia is beautiful

Cloud16 · 31/07/2022 15:24

I like Maia. I'd pronounce it the same as you. It's like the name Kai, its the same 'ai' that sounds like 'i' rather than 'ay'. So I'd say its easy to know how to pronounce imo. You could go Mya to be safe though, but not as pretty written down.

I always struggle with Ann YAAA. Doesn't roll off the tongue for me.

Amdone123 · 31/07/2022 15:05

Anya.
I like your spelling of Maia. It's so popular though ( at least Mya is ).

bloominglovelyorange · 31/07/2022 14:54

Another vote for Anya
one of my favourites

SunshineAndFizz · 31/07/2022 10:23

Anya.

Nicer name and less likely to get wrong pronunciation (I'd pronounce that May-a).

Enko · 31/07/2022 10:13

Well, I will be unusual and say I much prefer Maia I like that spelling too.

I've known quite a few Anya / Anja's and frankly none of them gives me good memories.

RuthW · 30/07/2022 23:16

Anya. Only one way to day it unlike the other name.