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Baby names

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

Original poster

Ethnic names

64 replies

olga3860 · 04/05/2024 16:07

We are from Russia, however we live in the UK temporarily. We should be back before our daughter is born, however if we aren’t I worry her name would be hard to pronounce. A neighbour when I asked her yesterday said that these names are too hard to pronounce for our area, and that I should choose something less ethnic and more English. She recommended names but we would really like a Russian name for our daughter. People struggle with our sons names in our area, and our names, so I am not surprised. Maybe my accent is hard to understand? We have tried explaining how to say them all the time.

Aleksandra
Irina
Maria
Tatiana
Yekaterina

We had Xenia on our list, as well as Anastasia but people have said it would be too hard to pronounce the way we do.

Irina is my top name, however my husband does not mind. Her siblings are Vladimir, Nikolai, Anton, Mikhail and Kirill.

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IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 04/05/2024 17:05

Is your neighbour a bit dim? None of those names are really that difficult to pronounce to English people. None of them is even than unfamiliar, apart from Yekaterina.

Catlord · 04/05/2024 17:00

Lovely names and not unfamiliar to a British person!

You might find some of the vowel sounds come out a bit differently, maybe eye-rina Vs ee-rina, but nothing major.

Only unfamiliar one I can foresee is the last. Just break down that Yekaterina is a russian version of Katherine if anyone struggles, Ye-Katerina and people will get it.

I don't think your neighbour is representative of most folk here if she can't pronounce Vladimir. I don't know anyone who would struggle with Xenia or Anastasia and have met a few British Anastasias over the years.

dizzydizzydizzy · 04/05/2024 16:58

Comedycook · 04/05/2024 16:49

I can pronounce all those names...they are not particularly difficult or unusual.

I love the name Tatiana....it's so glamorous

Exactly this.

Ignore your neighbour, OP. She is rude.

Comedycook · 04/05/2024 16:49

I can pronounce all those names...they are not particularly difficult or unusual.

I love the name Tatiana....it's so glamorous

wutheringkites · 04/05/2024 16:47

olga3860 · 04/05/2024 16:44

I hope not, she has been nice to us so far but other Anton and Nikolai cannot say any of our names. She suggested names to me like Lucy and Khloe, however we want our daughter to have a Russian name. I didn’t want to seem rude so I told her I would think.

She couldn't pronounce Vladimir? People are normally familiar with that name.

I would not factor this person's capabilities or views into your decision here.

Original poster
olga3860 · 04/05/2024 16:44

I hope not, she has been nice to us so far but other Anton and Nikolai cannot say any of our names. She suggested names to me like Lucy and Khloe, however we want our daughter to have a Russian name. I didn’t want to seem rude so I told her I would think.

OP posts:
wutheringkites · 04/05/2024 16:24

If you like Irina best then go for it. It's not difficult to pronounce.

Are you sure the person who said this to you was actually trying to be helpful or is it possible she just dislikes 'foreign' names?

somethingfunny · 04/05/2024 16:24

I knew an Ekaterina who went by Kate. No issues with pronunciation, just her preference. Choose the name you like best, people will learn to pronounce it correctly.

Original poster
olga3860 · 04/05/2024 16:20

Yes Yekaterina is said as it is spelt. I would probably spell it Ekaterina as I like it without the Y in English, but I think it makes it easier to pronounce after seeing it)

OP posts:
takemeawayagain · 04/05/2024 16:15

I love Tatiana, the only one I've not heard of before is Yekaterina.

Moreteaandchocolate · 04/05/2024 16:15

I love Irina - my favourite from your list, and I love the way it is pronounced in Russian.

If pronunciation matters to you, Maria, Aleksandra, Tatiana and Irina are all fine. Ekaterina I haven’t heard before but it looks quite straightforward I think?

All lovely names - just choose your favourite:)

RuffledKestrel · 04/05/2024 16:13

The only name I'm not 100% on pronunciation is Yekaterina. I have worked with and know people with all other names you have mentioned there and never heard of anyone mispronouncing them. No idea what part of the UK would struggle with them to be honest.

Original poster
olga3860 · 04/05/2024 16:11

I should have split the list, I am sorry. Maria and Aleksandra were the only two she said she would be okay, but I’d need to change the spelling.)

OP posts:
wutheringkites · 04/05/2024 16:10

Someone told you English people can't pronounce Maria??? That's a pretty classic name. It's my middle name and I'm Irish/ English.

I think most people would be fine with Irina and Tatiana too.