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Baby names

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

Original poster

Pria / Priya for white British baby girl

116 replies

Emz555 · 08/09/2022 20:18

LG due in Jan. Struggling to find a name that I love, as much as her sister Orla's name. I keep coming back to Pria / Priya, but would it be unusual to use it without any Hindu/ Indian connection? Thinking of using Eve as a middle name.

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tobee · 09/09/2022 19:10

I think this I fascinating discussion regardless.

But where is op?

Breezycheesetrees · 09/09/2022 18:59

anotherscroller · 08/09/2022 20:55

I have this with Mehdi. I absolutely love the name and would love to use it, but I worry people would think it was rude to ‘steal’ a name…

Me too! I absolutely loved this name but didn't feel like I could use it for either of my (ginger freckly) boys.

daro · 09/09/2022 18:57

Fia (Fiadh is the more irish spelling) is another irish name that is similar. But use Priya if you like it.

HangingOver · 09/09/2022 18:51

I wouldn't. Would be like naming a white British boy Amardeep or something.

1994girl · 09/09/2022 18:51

NOPE

FelicityBeedle · 09/09/2022 18:40

All you saying she’ll have a lifetime of questions. My name is scandi and was more unusual when I was growing up, when I got asked why I was named that I just said that my mum liked it. It’s no burden.

GuerlainHo · 09/09/2022 18:34

Nah. Don’t do it.

gratefulmamatobe · 09/09/2022 18:33

I like it! I don't think there needs to be any Hindu/ Indian links at all... I think it's really pretty x

NowWhatUsernameShallIHave · 09/09/2022 18:32

I’m Indian and I wouldn’t have a problem with it

Uma Thurmans name is Indian

YellowRoad · 09/09/2022 17:33

I wouldn't.
I'd assume Priya has Indian ancestry.

KirstenBlest · 09/09/2022 13:19

deedledeedledum · 09/09/2022 12:41

Missing the point. The point being, they are using the names regardless of where they come from.

Show quote history

It's you who is missing the point. the Arabic name that means dark haired beauty (i think) shows that the person saying it does not know the meaning.

Cakepop9 · 09/09/2022 13:14

It’s a tough one, but the name is not just associated with Asian people, it’s specific to a religion (Hinduism) so I would not go with this name. People often say they meet Asian people with English names but some Asians are catholic or Christian, and others have lived in this country for so long that they connect more with english culture or have more English influences. In other cases, English names are chosen to try and ‘fit in’ or avoid bullying. If you have no ties with Hinduism, I would pick a different name.

Watercoloursky · 09/09/2022 13:09

Eva and Orla?

Comeintomylife9 · 09/09/2022 13:07

I am Indian also and I wouldn't advise you to name your daughter that name either. She would be spending a lifetime explaining as to why she's named that name and it will be all down to you.

KirstenBlest · 09/09/2022 13:01

Because the history between the nations is different @deedledeedledum .
Spain wasn't part of the Empire.

@livealittlemore , but it does matter to people, which is why this thread's replies vary.

Sadly there is still prejudice in this world.

The name Shria is pretty

deedledeedledum · 09/09/2022 12:41

KirstenBlest · 09/09/2022 12:08

@LuckyAmy1986 , I see so many white, blonde haired little girls in the UK nowadays called Layla/Leyla... Arabic name that means dark haired beauty (i think)

You think? It means Night.

Missing the point. The point being, they are using the names regardless of where they come from.

deedledeedledum · 09/09/2022 12:40

KirstenBlest · 09/09/2022 08:10

Anita is spanish, Sonia scandinavian, Leena - Helena, latin, Monica has latin roots etc @deedledeedledum

It is true that many names have several roots. These names also have roots in Arabic and Sanskrit. Point is, no one cares. They are just names people like. Why would an English person be using a Spanish name or a Scandinavian name any more than an Indian name?

livealittlemore · 09/09/2022 12:33

It'll be unusual...people who know it's an Indian name will wonder if you have any Indian connection...people who don't, will just think it's an uncommon but beautiful name. Either ways, it doesn't matter what people will wonder about...at the end of the day, it's just a name and if you like it you should go for it. Rhea is another beautiful option.

Krakinou · 09/09/2022 12:29

It’s a beautiful name. I think you can use it. The world is becoming so much more connected and multicultural, I don’t think anyone would bat an eyelid in 10 years time.
I think it sounds lovely with Orla too.

allow · 09/09/2022 12:13

Theres a risk of giving the child a lifetime of trouble for the sake of a whim. People shouldn’t assume things based on a name but they definitely will.

KirstenBlest · 09/09/2022 12:08

@LuckyAmy1986 , I see so many white, blonde haired little girls in the UK nowadays called Layla/Leyla... Arabic name that means dark haired beauty (i think)

You think? It means Night.

LuckyAmy1986 · 09/09/2022 11:06

I don't see why it would be a problem.

I see so many white, blonde haired little girls in the UK nowadays called Layla/Leyla... Arabic name that means dark haired beauty (i think)

If it is fine that way round then why can't it be fine the other way round?

Pia is not a suitable alternative. It's not comparable to Priya which is a much prettier name IMO

hewouldwouldnthe · 09/09/2022 10:09

Weird.

PimmsOfCourse · 09/09/2022 10:07

You should definitely use Priya if you like it. Things are rapidly changing and it's totally acceptable to have a name from a different culture.

KirstenBlest · 09/09/2022 09:56

Historically, the Brits oppressed the Irish and the Indians. NI is part of the UK but Ireland isn't.

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