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Baby names

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

Original poster

Sanna or Zanna

61 replies

Frankiefarr · 27/12/2023 19:33

We’ve been told Sanna isn’t really used over here as a shortened form of Susanna and we would be better calling DD Zanna.

We’ve had a few negative comments from family members this side of the channel on how it looks written down.

Just wondered if this was the case?

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Islandermummy · 28/12/2023 19:39

Don't worry OP... There isn't a single name that wouldn't get slated on Mumsnet!

Sanna is a lovely name

KirstenBlest · 28/12/2023 19:20

What a lovely link!

nameXname · 28/12/2023 19:19

Being in Scotland, I've come across people named Sanna. And, like previous poster, it always reminds me of here: https://www.wildlochaber.com/ardnamurchan/beaches/sanna-bay-beach
Fantastic place to be associated with.

I like Susanna as well. And Sukie/Susie if she prefers those shortenings once she's settled here.

Sanna Bay Beach | Tourist Attractions in Lochaber, Ardnamurchan and The West Highlands

https://www.wildlochaber.com/ardnamurchan/beaches/sanna-bay-beach

LordSnot · 28/12/2023 15:25

Okay, so her name is Susanna. You can't control how people will shorten it so just put her name as Susanna and let her and her friends sort it out. She'll probably be called every shortening!

CamdenQueen · 28/12/2023 11:23

After your update, definitely stick with Sanna! If anyone says anything she has an easy explanation with her father’s heritage. The UK is so diverse now there are far more unusual names than Sanna in schools. If you’re moving to London especially, it’ll be a complete non issue

Enko · 28/12/2023 11:10

I prefer Sanna over Zanna. Growing up in Scandinavia Sanna is not unusual.

MalcolmTuckersDisdainfulSneer · 28/12/2023 11:08

*chosen

MalcolmTuckersDisdainfulSneer · 28/12/2023 11:02

I work in a secondary school and don't see any bullying over names these days. There are children so many different backgrounds at my school. I wouldn't worry about it. I'm not mad on how it sounds tbh. I used to work with a Sana and she had no issues.

She might change her chisen nickname though, so I would not put Sanna / Zanna as her name at school. Just leave it as Susannah which is a lovely name

Forgetaboutme · 28/12/2023 10:56

Ok so after your update I'd honestly say dont worry. Like I say, I live in the UK and my name is Susanna and ive always had the nickname Sanna. To be honest, its only close friends and family that call me Sanna and everyone else sticks with Susanna. I was never bullied when I was younger for my name and no one has a problem saying it. Reading this thread is the first time ive ever realised its associated with sanitary products 🙀

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 28/12/2023 10:43

Peoplemakemedespair · 28/12/2023 10:32

I think sanna probably will lead to bullying. Out of the two I’d go with zanna. Though there are nicer ways to shorten susannah imo

probably bullied by people like you. If people stop being nasty about other people then there will be no bullying.

KirstenBlest · 28/12/2023 10:37

How old is she? If she is used to being Sanna and it's a regular Swedish name, stick with it.

Peoplemakemedespair · 28/12/2023 10:32

I think sanna probably will lead to bullying. Out of the two I’d go with zanna. Though there are nicer ways to shorten susannah imo

Whiskerson · 28/12/2023 09:51

Frankiefarr · 28/12/2023 08:10

I think I should have made my initial post clearer sorry. Her name is Susanna. We call her Sanna because OH is Swedish and it’s just a common shortening where we are but we are moving back full time to the UK and family are saying better to change it to Zanna over here to stop her getting bullied

Ah, I didn't realise this was an existing child! She's not going to get bullied, and if she does get teased then she at least has the full name to fall back on, or can choose to spell it Zanna. Zanna is clearer pronunciation wise.

QueSyrahSyrah · 28/12/2023 08:16

After the update, your in-laws are being absurd, you can't change her name! Sanna is fine, people (especially children!) will simply accept it as her name.

Would they also want you to change it if you'd named her Wilma because of the Flintstones, or Vera because of Coronation Street, or Stella because of the lager, or Nova because of the car? (all in the current top 50 Swedish girls names).

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 28/12/2023 08:15

I don’t think she will be bullied for Sanna. Children will just accept it as her name and the only negatives I am hearing here are about sanitary products which children don’t know about anyway.

if she really wants she can always change to suzi at school but I doubt there will be an issue with Sanna.

Original poster
Frankiefarr · 28/12/2023 08:10

I think I should have made my initial post clearer sorry. Her name is Susanna. We call her Sanna because OH is Swedish and it’s just a common shortening where we are but we are moving back full time to the UK and family are saying better to change it to Zanna over here to stop her getting bullied

OP posts:
ImCamembertTheBigCheese · 28/12/2023 08:10

Zanna makes me think of Xanadu but that's probably just my age.

Original poster
Frankiefarr · 28/12/2023 08:07

OH is Swedish, we have been living outside the UK we didn’t think about calling her Sanna (as a nickname) until UK family said we should change it to Zanna when we moved back :(

OP posts:
Fourcandleforkhandle · 28/12/2023 02:20

My Daughter has a name similar to Zanna. She is named Zaina- Arabic name meaning beautiful...suits her beautifully!

ShippingNews · 28/12/2023 02:03

Sanna - a brand of sanitary towels. It's a no from me.

DramaAlpaca · 28/12/2023 02:00

I'm not too sure about Sanna, but I really like Zanna/Zannah. It's unusual and, to my ear, really pretty.

Peoplemakemedespair · 28/12/2023 00:29

Marcipex · 27/12/2023 19:43

Sanna doesn’t sound very nice to my ears. It has connotations of sanitary.

Zanna didn’t make me think of Xanax because I first saw it written rather than heard it, but of course I hear it now.

Susie is very pretty and uncommon. Could you use that?

First thing that crossed my mind was sanitary towels

Forgetaboutme · 28/12/2023 00:26

Wish I hadnt come across this thread haha. I go by the nickname Sanna which is short for my name Susanna. My family is from Sweden originally but I have always lived in the UK. I've never had an issue with my name although after reading this its clear people think its horrible 😂

Islandermummy · 28/12/2023 00:17

IAteAllTheCake · 27/12/2023 22:03

Typical rude ignorant and intolerant mumsnetters 🙄 Sanna is a very popular Pakistani / Arabic girl's name meaning Lilly.

On a quick google it seems the Scandinavian Sanna has the same root.

Such a nice name: soft, fairly unusual, but classic.

Re people saying "spanner"... presumably Anna and Hannah are out too? I knew a Sanna and no one called her spanner... do kids these days even use spanner as an insult anymore? (Genuine question)

I don't think it sounds like feminine products either

Islandermummy · 28/12/2023 00:12

Sanna is a lovely name. There are Pakistani Sannas and Scandinavian Sannas. Fairly surprised you were told Zanna is more usual as I have never heard it (I'm British)