Ayla or Katya

[mixedmamameansbusiness]

We have 2 DSs and always said if we had a girl we would call her Ayla (pronounced as Isla and spelt this way as this is how the name is spelt culturally not because I want to be different.

However, recently the name Katya has just been screaming at me. I realise the possiblity of "Kat" but I dont know anyone in my family and social circle who has their name shortened etc - I know it might still happen but am willing to overlook this.

So basically it is a straight which is nicer... less interested in whether you dont like it.

Oh I am actually pregnant although I dont actually know whether it is a girl or boy yet. But havent shortlsted boys names yet.

personally i think ayla is nicer

I think Katya is nicer, especially as Ayla will be so frequently mispronouced as Ay-la or misspelt as Isla

I love Ayla - is it Turkish?

I would have thought the pronunciation is quite obvious.

Yes it is Turkish - I put in the bit about pronounciation as the Ay sound is sometimes different in English but because we spend alot of time in Turkey I want it to work easily.

The Turkish pron of Katya would be ever so slightly different to the Cat sound though, not sur eif that would matter.

DH has also pointed out tha a similar word in his other language means to cut, but I reckon we can get aroun that.

Ayla sounds nice and not very common.

Katya is a diminitive version of a Russian name Ekaterina (=Catherine) and is very common. Perhaps, you meant Katia?

like Ayla. not so sure about Katya though...

i vote ayla its great

I prefer Katya. I know someone who's DD is called Ayla and a lot of people are unsure which way to pronounce it.

Ayla is the name of the main character in the Earth's Children books by Jane Auel. I always liked the look of it but still wouldn't be sure how to pronounce it!

I like Ayla more than Katya, but I agree that there will be pronunciation issues. I immediately thought Ay-, not Eye- la. It looks very nice written though.

I like Katya more, just seems classier.

I like katya. There are way to many islas atm.

Love Katya.

Congratulations mixedmama

I love Ayla, and remember mentioning it on a few threads on MN. Lovely name with a lovely meaning.

If you name your daughter Katya, everyone in Turkey will assume that she is Russian, Jewish, or both.

I would have pronounced Ayla as Ay-la, not Isla, and think most people would in England. I do think it's a pretty name but it immediately made me think of Jean Auel. Katya is lovely.

Thanks, I know Katya is the dimunitive version of Ekaterina, but I like the spelling more that Katia.

Cote - I had thought of that too, but I think I can live with it - just .

Both beautiful, but Katya wins by a nose imo.

My ds has a friend Katya, pronounced Kate-y-a. It's nice (she's a nice kid too). I don't think there is any Russian or Jewish connection, but we live in Canada where most people have immigrated from some place else, so who knows.

DGD is named Katja, so a bit biased!
Ayla is lovely also, I'm admiring your taste in names!

The Jean Auel connection would put me off Ayla.