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Baby names

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

Original poster

Is this baby name ethnically neutral?

109 replies

BrinaEds · 02/11/2022 12:53

Afternoon All,

Our little one has finally arrived but we are stuck on a name for her and would love your thoughts on this one

Out of curiosity, what ethnicity comes to mind when you hear the name Ayana / Ayanna.

  • White
  • Black
  • Mixed
  • Asian
  • Ethnically neutral
  • if other please specify

xXx

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caroleanboneparte · 02/11/2022 14:34

Arabic

KvotheTheBloodless · 02/11/2022 14:31

It's an Islamic name, hence the Arabic connection.

KvotheTheBloodless · 02/11/2022 14:30

Definitely Middle Eastern or Black, most likely the former. I've met 2, both were of Arabic origin.

chocolateandtea123 · 02/11/2022 14:24

Definitely not white British. I like it though. Ayana. It's lovely.

mintich · 02/11/2022 14:24

I would assume black or Asian

SudocremOnEverything · 02/11/2022 14:21

I don’t think it’s possible to have an ‘ethnically neutral’ name. Names are always cultural.

Some names may be used in a wider range of cultures than others, but there’s no neutral pool of names devoid of any cultural attachments out there.

OhBeAFineGuyKissMe · 02/11/2022 14:19

Arabic/ Middle Eastern

IVflytrap · 02/11/2022 14:19

I wouldn't make any assumptions if heard it in passing, but if someone pressed me on it, I would think it sounds more culturally Arabic/Middle Eastern or possibly African American. It makes me think a of names like Aisha/Ayesha, which are common in those cultures.

It's a nice name though, and I don't think it leans strongly in any cultural direction.

dottypencilcase · 02/11/2022 14:17

Asian 100%

NippyWoowoo · 02/11/2022 14:15

Black. It was popular in the Caribbean when I was going to school

hairyunicorn · 02/11/2022 14:12

Asian

Dassams · 02/11/2022 14:11

Italian?

Weefreetiffany · 02/11/2022 14:10

Female version of Ayaan? So Asian

DuchessOfSausage · 02/11/2022 13:53

I'd think Ayana was not of white british heritage

ocadodeliveroo · 02/11/2022 13:40

00100001 · 02/11/2022 12:55

Black African name.

I thought Black Caribbean & African American

Snoken · 02/11/2022 13:25

I think Moana so I think Polynesia (never seen the film so don't even know if that is correct in regards to Moana), but somewhere tropical and far away.

SirChenjins · 02/11/2022 13:24

S Asian - there was a girl in DS2's class from Pakistan with this name

jugglingalways · 02/11/2022 13:22

Arabic

TheNosehasit · 02/11/2022 13:21

Most Arabic girl's names tend to end with the 'ah' sound.

Mahera
Leila
Aisha
Sara
Aliyah
Aquiqah
Nuha
Aaliyah
Diya
Saffia
Farah

For that reason I would go with Arabic.

JamSandle · 02/11/2022 13:14

White or Middle Eastern comes to mind for me.

fairydustt · 02/11/2022 13:14

I would assume probably not white

pinkyredrose · 02/11/2022 13:14

Arab

maddiemookins16mum · 02/11/2022 13:12

Middle east/Arabic. Not white british.

ouch321 · 02/11/2022 13:10

Never heard of it

ChristmasCakeAndStilton · 02/11/2022 13:09

Ethnicity I wouldn't want to guess at, but I'd expect a Muslim family.