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Original poster

Thoughts on Astrid?

84 replies

FoleyHuck · 25/10/2023 18:44

Early days for us still but DH and I have been throwing names around, he's Swedish so we're looking at Swedish/Scandi names but avoiding those that would be out of place in the UK.

Thoughts on Astrid for a girl? Our surname is recognisably Swedish. We'd probably add a middle name but haven't got that far yet.

I swing between really liking it and not being so sure. We also like Ronja, but I know a Sonja who too often has to explain the j is actually an i sound, so maybe not!

Otherwise open to other Scandi / Swedish suggestions! Thanks.

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Frlrlrubert · 26/10/2023 15:14

DD (7) is Astrid.

Obviously I'm biased, but I think it's uncommon without being weird. I don't know any others, but I'm not in London, where it sounds like it's more common.

Original poster
FoleyHuck · 26/10/2023 13:41

EmeraldTheSeahorse · 26/10/2023 12:12

No keen and what will the nickname be? Ass? Bound to be called that in secondary school. And please not asta as someone suggested sounds like Asda

Our Niece (also a very popular Swedish name but growing up in Britain) has been 'Willy' most of her secondary school years and has fully embraced it😉

In seriousness though, plenty of names just never have a diminutive or a NN. Off the top of my head friends / colleagues Clare, Eva, Lisa and Anna only ever go by their actual name.

I'm heartened to see the largely positive thoughts on Astrid anyway. DH remains more convinced than me, but I might start playing with middle name combinations and see where we end up.

OP posts:
LilyLemonade · 26/10/2023 13:15

I quite like Astrid but prefer Ingrid or (even more) Sigrid.

Ronja is lovely too. I think easy to pronounce.

I like it that they are both quite unfussy.

SquigglePigs · 26/10/2023 13:15

It's a lovely name OP!

Sorry, not keen on Ronja at all.

KirstenBlest · 26/10/2023 13:14

It's not so much them saying it wrong that bothers me, it's when it gets misspelt and a prescription can't be issued, cheque can't be cashed or an invoice not paid etc. I always feel a bit uncomfortable having to ask 'Did you spell my name properly?'

There are also those charming people who tell me I'm spelling my name incorrectly or that my name is something else. (e.g. why do you call yourself Kirsten when you are really Kristen/Kristine?)

Olika · 26/10/2023 12:47

@KirstenBlest people keep saying my name wrong and I just either ignore or correct. It really doesn't bother me but I understand if someone else finds it annoying.

Whichwhatnow · 26/10/2023 12:42

I genuinely love it. I really like girls names with a hard/punchy finish if that makes sense at all 😆. I also love Alice, Madaleine, Tanith, Seren, Meredith, Adelaide and many more

Totalwasteofpaper · 26/10/2023 12:30

Some of our "fancier" friends have a daughter named Astrid.

I think its nice

FoghornUnicorn · 26/10/2023 12:28

Love Astrid, it’s my favourite name. I first heard of it from the book Bill’s New Frock (best book ever), and she was actually an early feminist role model for me! 😀

On the way out of the hall, Bill Simpson heard Astrid complaining to Mrs Collins:
'It isn't fair! He always picks the boys to carry things.'
'Perhaps the table's quite heavy,' soothed Mrs Collins.
'None of the tables in this school are heavy,' said Astrid. 'And I know for a fact that I am stronger than at least two of the boys he picked.'
'It's true,' Bill said. Whenever we have a tug of war, everyone wants to have Astrid on their team.'

KirstenBlest · 26/10/2023 12:26

@Olika , having people say or spell your name wrong gets tedious very quickly.

Olika · 26/10/2023 12:24

I really like Astrid. I like Ronja too and wouldn't mind if some people said it wrong. How about Freya?

momtoboys · 26/10/2023 12:21

I love it.

WaltzingWaters · 26/10/2023 12:20

Lovely. Especially with Swedish roots.
Much prefer Astrid to Ronja.

HoHoHoliday · 26/10/2023 12:20

I love Astrid, it's my favourite name and if I had a daughter that's what she would be named. It's beautiful but also seems strong.

The only nickname I would use is Asta, though I don't think you really need a nickname.

Other scandi names I like - Marit (my mum's name!), Marin, Ingrid, Elva, Ebba.

Horriblewoman · 26/10/2023 12:17

As an English swede it’s one of my favourite names along with Malin. If I ever manage to have a child and it turns out to be a girl it’s my top name choice.

newmama311 · 26/10/2023 12:14

Lovisa

EmeraldTheSeahorse · 26/10/2023 12:12

No keen and what will the nickname be? Ass? Bound to be called that in secondary school. And please not asta as someone suggested sounds like Asda

KirstenBlest · 26/10/2023 12:09

According to Darkgreener it isn't all that popular, but is increasing in popularity.
Babies called Astrid in England & Wales since 1996 (darkgreener.com)

The figures are for 2021, so will be out of date now, and are only for England & Wales. I'd guess it to be in the top #200 this year..

TheYearOfSmallThings · 26/10/2023 09:36

FoleyHuck · 26/10/2023 07:20

Hmm, I've never seen the Office (but DH has and still suggested this name). I think it would be incredibly hard to find a name that doesn't have some sort of dodgy cultural reference to someone so I don't think it's a dealbreaker.

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I agree, that wouldn't put me off at all.

LittlestG · 26/10/2023 09:08

I have a friend with an Astrid, I was a bit unsure about it at the beginning but it's really grown on me!

tunapokebowl · 26/10/2023 09:00

BungleandGeorge · 25/10/2023 19:22

Mallin is nice and easily pronounceable

This is very outing, but my DD is Malin, and we thought it was easy to pronounce too...

If I had a penny for the amount of times she's been called Merlin, Marlene, Marilyn, Malik... 😂

I like Astrid a lot and it was on our list, but it is getting very popular in the uk at the moment, so depends if that bothers you

Original poster
FoleyHuck · 26/10/2023 07:20

MonkeyPuddle · 25/10/2023 22:27

It gives me Ass Turd from The Office.
Im not keen on the hard ‘d’ sound, I prefer Asta.

Hmm, I've never seen the Office (but DH has and still suggested this name). I think it would be incredibly hard to find a name that doesn't have some sort of dodgy cultural reference to someone so I don't think it's a dealbreaker.

OP posts:
user1471427614 · 25/10/2023 23:46

Mine too. Seems to becoming more popular

ChocolateCinderToffee · 25/10/2023 23:45

Love Astrid, I used to know a German one, she was great.

PaganOfTheGoodTimes · 25/10/2023 23:41

Oo, love Astrid. Also love Ronja cos of the book - the animated series was a favourite of my daughters too so we know how to pronounce it, surely lots would?

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