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Original poster

Eleonora or Anastasia?

35 replies

urushi · 09/09/2026 06:40

Pregnant w a girl and having a hard time deciding between these two. We are Hispanic, live in the USA. These can be said in multiple languages which is what we want. Last name is short 2 syllables and Italian but usually said in English - all to say, both names go w the last name.

HELP AND THANK YOU!

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PrettyLittleRose · 12/09/2026 19:32

Ger ready for her to have a lifetime of her name being spelt incorrectly if you call her Eleonora. Also she will have some people pronounce it incorrectly quite a lot.

So I would pick Anastasia out of the two.

leavingonajetplane76 · 13/09/2026 01:34

I love Anastasia. Stasi or Ana for short.

mathanxiety · 13/09/2026 02:03

In the US, people won't presume to shorten her name unless she introduces herself using the short version.

I'd choose Anastasia. It will be pronounced Anna-STAY-zha by most Anglo Americans, and if that's not a pronunciation you like, then choose Eleonora.

Both names are lovely.

EatYourGreenss · 13/09/2026 02:08

One of the most awful people I have ever known was called Anastasia. So I'm biased. Eleonora all the way.

localbutterfly · 13/09/2026 02:47

Almakarlinsghost · 10/09/2026 09:06

Standard Russian diminutive of Anastasia is Nastya. Hence also Nastenka, Nastaska, etc.

"Ana" "Anya" etc are never used there, where the name is common - Anna is a completely different name etymologically and Anya is the usual diminutive of Anna in Russia. I never understand why anyone would not just name their daughter Ana/Anna if they were going to call her this.

Despite what Hollywood and Disney may claim, the Grand Duchess whose name is responsible for the popularity of "Anastasia" these days was certainly never known as "Ana". Even though her family was not terribly Russian itself...

Anastasia (ah-nah-STAH-syah) is also a traditional Spanish name, along with the male form Anastasio. Spanish speakers wouldn't even think to limit themselves to the established Russian-language diminutives; why would they? I think Tasia and Sia are traditionally most common, but in Spanish-speaking communities in the USA, where the OP lives, I doubt anyone will blink at Ana.

grinandslothit · 13/09/2026 03:03

I love Anastasia it's beautiful

Almakarlinsghost · 15/09/2026 09:50

localbutterfly · 13/09/2026 02:47

Anastasia (ah-nah-STAH-syah) is also a traditional Spanish name, along with the male form Anastasio. Spanish speakers wouldn't even think to limit themselves to the established Russian-language diminutives; why would they? I think Tasia and Sia are traditionally most common, but in Spanish-speaking communities in the USA, where the OP lives, I doubt anyone will blink at Ana.

Show quote history

I'm aware that's it not just used in Russia - it's originally Greek and there are other diminutives there, for example. I just don't follow why in the UK or US - where its popularity these days almost certainly derives from a Russian Grand Duchess - people would want to shorten it to something which is a different and unconnected name like "Anna" or "Annie", better known to English speakers in its own right. Never encountered a Spanish one, by the way - just a Mexican Anastasio, who was not known as "Ana" 😀

Almakarlinsghost · 15/09/2026 09:54

I assume the OP's post was edited, as I didn't read initially that she was in the US or Spanish speaking, In any case, my comment was to whoever it was suggested Ana and Annie as nice diminutives, and ridiculed "Nasty".

Almakarlinsghost · 15/09/2026 10:15

But...to answer to original question, I also like Eleonora or Leonora better. Less baggage...😀

Peonies12 · 15/09/2026 10:16

You need to choose the one that you prefer the short versions of. Inevitably with names thst long

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