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Baby names

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

Original poster

Nixie or Naia?

43 replies

San1991 · 01/01/2023 19:54

Looking for water inspired girls names. Any preferences over Nixie or Naia?

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blondiepinka · 03/01/2023 19:47

I have a Niah, beautiful name however spelt.

Not a fan of Nixie. Doesn't have the elegance

scottishnames · 03/01/2023 17:56

Only in Disneyland does Ariel have anything to do with the sea.
It's a good name, but before Disney got their hands on it, it was a very ancient Hebrew name meaning 'Lion of God' (and also the city of Jerusalem).

In English it sounds like words relating to the element air, not water. That's why Shakespeare used it as the name for his (male) flighty nature-spirit Ariel.

Beverley (place name) means 'Beaver-Lake'. Some people might disagree, but personally I don't think that's a remotely appropriate name for any child.

NewDogOwner · 03/01/2023 17:38

Please don't call your child Nixie.

user1492757084 · 03/01/2023 16:40

Myuna - clear water
Azura - the blue of the sea
Ariel - the little mermaid
Beck
Brooke
Beverley
Romy - - dew of the sea - from Rosemary
Nerida
Mariella

WetBandits · 02/01/2023 23:37

Nixie is terrible.

Naia is alright, prefer Naya though. Nia is a Welsh name, do you like that?

With your other DD’s name (which is gorgeous!), ‘Pearl’ immediately sprang to mind as her sibling.

Rickandmortified100 · 02/01/2023 23:27

Love Nixie!

Firebird83 · 02/01/2023 22:55

Nix is slang for ‘nothing’ in German

ZuckerwatterMaus · 02/01/2023 17:22

Nixe is the brand name Lidl uses for its tuna and tuna salads and that is far too close a spelling for me , sorry.

goldenfoliage · 02/01/2023 17:09

I prefer Nerissa or Nessa more than Nixie or Naia, but I agree Naia is better.
Also love Nimue, but that's not as usable.

Babynameangst · 02/01/2023 11:55

How about Nimue (Nim-u-ay), Lady of the Lake

scottishnames · 02/01/2023 11:53

Nyx is the Greek goddess of night, but a Nixie is a water spirit - male as well as female -from northern European mythology. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nixie_(folklore)

Other watery/water-spirit names:

Ondine
Melusine
Arethusa
Nerissa
Sabrina
Morgan/Morgana
Mareina
Oceane

Marcipex · 02/01/2023 11:04

Atalanta is lovely and also watery.

PepsiMaxandPringleStacks · 02/01/2023 11:03

stormelf · 01/01/2023 20:00

Naia is my favourite out of the two. I'm not keen on Nixi although I do like Nyx

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Please do not name a baby Nyx after an SJM character.

All of these names are more suited to pets than humans imo BlushConfused

Shortpoet · 02/01/2023 11:01

Nixie sounds like a nickname for something like Nicole, Nicola, or Nicoline

inquisitorgeneral · 02/01/2023 10:59

Naia is nice and will be familiar to people who remember Naya Rivera.
Nixie just doesn't sound like a real name to me. It's very twee.

Pumpkindoodles · 01/01/2023 22:01

Naia is lovely, I don’t think it’s a problem saying naia with an n personally.

nixie sounds a bit like calling your child ‘candy’ to me

how about Cordelia, nn lia
mira
Narelle

Pyvadanya · 01/01/2023 21:49

Definitely not Nixie

WhileMyGuitarGentlyWeeps · 01/01/2023 21:46
Confused
Luredbyapomegranate · 01/01/2023 21:45

Lionessss · 01/01/2023 20:02

Naia
But she will constantly have to say 'Naia, NO, not Maya, with an N'
Nixie doesn't sound like a serious name for a grown up woman at all - albeit cute for a baby/toddler girl

Very much this.

Marina or Cora or something.

Original poster
San1991 · 01/01/2023 21:37

We also liked Hallie, but think its now in the top 100 and with my partner and I both being teachers we are trying to avoid names of children we could potentially have lots of in a class.

We also discussed Sadie, Quinn and Jenna x

OP posts:
Original poster
San1991 · 01/01/2023 21:33

Very mixed responses (which was expected).
We already have an Elora who is often called Lori as a nickname.
Open to suggestions :)

OP posts:
Cantseethewindows · 01/01/2023 21:28

Nyx was the personification of night in Greek mythology. Nixie reminds me of (Richard) Nixon. Niks also means nothing in Dutch. Naia sounds like nada, which also means nothing. They both have connotations of "nothing" to me - not exactly the vibe I'd be wanting for my kids!

devildeepbluesea · 01/01/2023 21:20

Nixie is disgustingly saccharine. Naia marginally better, but surely you can think of better names than this duo of twee?

ChildrenOfTheQuorn · 01/01/2023 21:20

donquixotedelamancha · 01/01/2023 21:10

Looking for water inspired girls names.

Evian, Aquapura, Perrier, Mediterania, Atlantica, Windermere, Ness, Toilettia, Bath, Blackpool, Brighton, Grimsby.

🤣

MerryChristmasTree · 01/01/2023 21:18

Nixie? Is that even a name? It sounds like something you’d nickname a toddler or a rabbit. Awful.