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Baby names

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

Original poster

Saga

169 replies

92andyou · 29/08/2025 09:53

Scandi-British family expecting a girl. Already have a Magnus.

Does Saga work in the UK? Very common across Scandinavia - I’ve never met one in the UK however.

If not - what other good names to go with our sons name that is easy for Brits and Scandis.

Two weeks to go and we are no clearer on a name…! Foolishly I told some suggestions to family and all raised eyebrows / made stupid comments (on both sides of the North Sea).

OP posts:
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goldtrap · 29/08/2025 11:03

^^ or more Germanic - Silke

Aubrielle · 29/08/2025 11:00

Silje is a Norwegian name meaning peaceful.

The closest English pronunciation might be Celia.

Topseyt123 · 29/08/2025 11:00

92andyou · 29/08/2025 10:16

It is a silly response - I think any name teasing is silly really.

And, if you continue to read my replies, you’ll see I have listened to the (mainly negative) feedback and said I’ll need to go back to the drawing board. So no, I am not ignoring people’s comments no.

Show quote history

It wasn't a silly response and it said what many of us were immediately thinking. You were unnecessary snippy and rude. You are asking for people's thoughts and are getting them.

Saga doesn't really work in the UK. For all the reasons given.

goldtrap · 29/08/2025 11:00

Lina?

Original poster
92andyou · 29/08/2025 10:57

VivienneDelacroix · 29/08/2025 10:35

I'm sure the OP is aware of this, seeing as it's a Norse word that we adopted from them! As in the Viking sagas.

OP - I think unfortunately the word Saga can have negative connotations in English, and rather than the true Scandinavian meaning is sometimes used to describe a long, drawn-out, difficult situation. "The whole thing was a bit of a saga". Plus as others have said, it is also the name of an over-50s insurance and travel company here.

However, having taught thousands of children from diverse backgrounds I will say that people very quickly get used to a name and it's association with the person. I've had many many children in my classes who have highly unusual, beautiful names (Anis, Petergaye, Fungui, Armani, Godswill, Hella, Isis, Pebbles, to name a few) to an English ear, but I've never known name-based bullying in 25 years in education. Children are so used to diverse names. Saga is a beautiful name, so I would go for it.

Edited
Show quote history

That is very interesting (in general) about name based bullying not really being a thing now.

Yes it’s probably adults who are more likely to take issue - as I said, nearly every name that has been mentioned (ordinary or less so) has had some sor of eye roll.

My parents and in-laws in both countries are very confused by the popularity of what they see as old person names and have been often bemused by the names of my friends children (even when top 10-20 names…!).

OP posts:
MrsMoastyToasty · 29/08/2025 10:54

Gunilla
(It's the only Scandinavian name I know. )

Flightyflora · 29/08/2025 10:52

92andyou · 29/08/2025 09:53

Scandi-British family expecting a girl. Already have a Magnus.

Does Saga work in the UK? Very common across Scandinavia - I’ve never met one in the UK however.

If not - what other good names to go with our sons name that is easy for Brits and Scandis.

Two weeks to go and we are no clearer on a name…! Foolishly I told some suggestions to family and all raised eyebrows / made stupid comments (on both sides of the North Sea).

I like it, but then I love The Bridge and Saga is the main character and is great.
I find when I know people I don't associate them with say holiday companies and such like.
I think being called Alexa would now be much worse as ts a daily thing for many in their homes.

I doubt many children would associate Saga with the company and adults hopefully would not be teasing and would associate with the person.

BeaLola · 29/08/2025 10:52

I gave my opinion on Saga, Freja too common and Astrid already within family so how about Tove ?

1543click · 29/08/2025 10:50

Vivika
Inge
Elsa
Names of friends children with Scandanavian / British parents.
Saga doesn't really work here.

oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends · 29/08/2025 10:48

Saga is a dreadful, lying, over-priced holiday company.

TeaAndStrumpets · 29/08/2025 10:42

Ingrid is nice.

PurpleChrayn · 29/08/2025 10:41

It’s a no from me. Ugly sound.

NightPuffins · 29/08/2025 10:40

@92andyou There’s a brilliant singer named Sigrid, she’s from Norway, and very successful in recent years. So I don’t think people would see that name as too out there. Also, Ingrid? That’s beautiful, and royal which lots of Brits love. But still, if you love Saga I think you should go for it.

Original poster
92andyou · 29/08/2025 10:39

Shamesame · 29/08/2025 10:33

I had a thread of Malin versus Astrid and was firmly told Malin was a fish, and I also assumed it would be pronounced like the fish in the uk!

I also had on my list

Agnes
Norah
Sigrid (vetoed by husband)
Ada
Frida
Moa (also vetoed)

Show quote history

What did you go for in the end?

Moa would be difficult in English IMO…I assume that is why it was vetoed.

OP posts:
VivienneDelacroix · 29/08/2025 10:35

Squishymallows · 29/08/2025 09:57

Saga : a long, involved story, account, or series of incidents.

I'm sure the OP is aware of this, seeing as it's a Norse word that we adopted from them! As in the Viking sagas.

OP - I think unfortunately the word Saga can have negative connotations in English, and rather than the true Scandinavian meaning is sometimes used to describe a long, drawn-out, difficult situation. "The whole thing was a bit of a saga". Plus as others have said, it is also the name of an over-50s insurance and travel company here.

However, having taught thousands of children from diverse backgrounds I will say that people very quickly get used to a name and it's association with the person. I've had many many children in my classes who have highly unusual, beautiful names (Anis, Petergaye, Fungui, Armani, Godswill, Hella, Isis, Pebbles, to name a few) to an English ear, but I've never known name-based bullying in 25 years in education. Children are so used to diverse names. Saga is a beautiful name, so I would go for it.

user1476613140 · 29/08/2025 10:35

Very long winded...

Mwnci123 · 29/08/2025 10:35

I like it

RavenPie · 29/08/2025 10:34

Even without the saga holidays and insurance connotations I don’t think it works. People don’t think of saga as epic stories handed down through generations and told by firelight - more like bureaucratic or dickhead based annoyance - “I’ve had a right saga with this debit card” - “Jenny was turning the whole thing into a saga”.

Shamesame · 29/08/2025 10:33

92andyou · 29/08/2025 10:30

I also quite like Malin - but I think the feedback there wis going to move from ‘old people’ to ‘isn’t that a fish’ isn’t it.

@NightPuffins Linnea sadly has been vetoed. I also think they would end up being Linn in the UK which I don’t like.

Sigrid is good but again possibly a bit too out there for the Brits?

I had a thread of Malin versus Astrid and was firmly told Malin was a fish, and I also assumed it would be pronounced like the fish in the uk!

I also had on my list

Agnes
Norah
Sigrid (vetoed by husband)
Ada
Frida
Moa (also vetoed)

HedyPrism · 29/08/2025 10:32

92andyou · 29/08/2025 10:30

I also quite like Malin - but I think the feedback there wis going to move from ‘old people’ to ‘isn’t that a fish’ isn’t it.

@NightPuffins Linnea sadly has been vetoed. I also think they would end up being Linn in the UK which I don’t like.

Sigrid is good but again possibly a bit too out there for the Brits?

Sigrid is a relatively well known Norwegian singer, so not that out there, and easy to pronounce. I think better choice than Saga.

Original poster
92andyou · 29/08/2025 10:30

I also quite like Malin - but I think the feedback there wis going to move from ‘old people’ to ‘isn’t that a fish’ isn’t it.

@NightPuffins Linnea sadly has been vetoed. I also think they would end up being Linn in the UK which I don’t like.

Sigrid is good but again possibly a bit too out there for the Brits?

OP posts:
PInkyStarfish · 29/08/2025 10:30

Sara
Elin
Sadie
Maren

AwkwardPaws27 · 29/08/2025 10:29

@92andyou we were set on Astrid if DS was a girl Smile

Twelvetimes · 29/08/2025 10:28

Asta would not make me think of Asda at all.

It would make me think of Aster, the flowering plant (nice).

NightPuffins · 29/08/2025 10:28

I love Magnus! What a great choice.

Saga, I actually do love the name but I agree with comments that people, or at least adults, in the UK will immediately think life insurance and holidays for the elderly. I’m not sure that matters though as in reality, if they meet your daughter and she’s introduced as Saga then that’s her name and it’s just accepted. No one is going to talk to her about elderly holidays. Anyone who watched the brilliant TV programme The Bridge will also associate the main character.

Some other suggestions, taken from my UK/scandi family:
Emma
Josefine
Linnea
Lotte
Luna
Nora
Selma
Sigrid
Sofia