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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Ama, what do you think?

22 replies

mamaesi · 09/07/2011 15:57

Its a family name, west african..
for a girl, pronounced (ah-mah)

am interested to hear your reactions, is that how you would pronounce it?

do you like it? or do you think its strange?

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Inspirachion · 09/07/2011 15:59

I love it. It's nice to hear a name I hadn't heard before too

Kyrie · 09/07/2011 16:06

I don't like it very much, I think it's the sound of it - sort of flat, no musicality.

Anna is prettier imo though obviously doesn't have the West African link.

sittinginthesun · 09/07/2011 16:12

It's pretty. If I didn't know, I would pronounce it A (like cAt) Ma, but I'm ignorant.

If it's a family name, then I'd def go for it.

LeMousquetaireAnonyme · 09/07/2011 16:18

I would pronounced like sitting. I like it but I am biased as this is how DD1's friends shorten her name. The way they call "Ama" is really cute... (between 6 and 7 yo)

Cattleprod · 09/07/2011 16:24

I like it, but it does remind me of that shouty girl from Big Brother a few years ago.

SloganLogan · 09/07/2011 16:44

Too similar to armour.

Firawla · 09/07/2011 16:47

I knew one and she used to say it more like Amma so that's how I would naturally pronounce it? but I do think it is nice

manicinsomniac · 09/07/2011 17:25

I only know it from Brazil. As a Hispanic name it is pronounced Am-ma so that's how I'd pronounce it.

But if you teach people that the African name is Ah-ma then they'll learn.

Rhubarbgarden · 09/07/2011 19:24

I worked with an Ama and she pronounced it Amma too, so that's what I would assume. I quite like it.

Original poster

mamaesi · 09/07/2011 21:05

i dont understand??

what do you mean amma? to me thats the same pronunciation...

do you mean Amma like the A in Amy? or A like Amelia?

(a like amelia is correct, but just wondering if I am mis understanding)

OP posts:

meditrina · 09/07/2011 21:23

It sounds like the vocabulary word "amah" (children's nurse), which might be a drawback, depending on where you are.

When I saw the thread title, I did wonder as well if it were a nn for Amabel.

Rhubarbgarden · 09/07/2011 21:24

'Amma' as in rhymes with hammer. The pronunciation you describe sounds like a long 'a' sound like armour. Which is correct?

Firawla · 09/07/2011 22:00

by ah-ma i thought you meant with a long a sound

Original poster

mamaesi · 11/07/2011 14:29

long or short a is not that far off, it is sort of in between... I mean its one of those names where it always might sound a tiny bit different when spoken by an english person than by a native speaker.

For me as long as its not too complicated its ok.

OP posts:

MugglesandLuna · 11/07/2011 17:29

It makes me think of Shola Ama the singer.

Or the BB contestent that used to be a stripper, but you would have to be a BB geek to think of that.

AlmaMartyr · 11/07/2011 17:57

I like it, I used to know an Ama, she pronounced it Ah-mah.

SenoritaViva · 11/07/2011 17:59

I giggled at first because (when I read the title) I thought it sounded like I was trying to say Anna but without any teeth. Sorry, but it's true.

Actually Am-ah is rather lovely.

No one pronounces my name right as is very different but it's so lovely I put up with it.

superjobeespecs · 11/07/2011 18:07

i knew a little african girl called ama yrs ago, seeing the name again made me smile :) its lovely such a delicate name.

TidyDancer · 11/07/2011 18:10

Sorry, don't like it, and it does reminds me of that horrid girl from Big Brother.

otchayaniye · 11/07/2011 21:25

I think 'nanny' when I hear it.

Original poster

mamaesi · 12/07/2011 12:43

I hate big brother and never watch it. Thats a shame that this name is associated with it. hmmm... it may put me off..but it does mean something to our family.

by 'nanny' do you mean immigrant/foreigner? well we are anyway...this baby will have blood from 8 different nationalities and we may not live in england forever so I am not so concerned with the name being british.

more concerned that it is not too hard to say/understand

OP posts:

Ephiny · 12/07/2011 14:49

I think it's nice, haven't heard of it before but it's a very pretty name.

I think people may not be sure how to pronounce it when they see it written down - I would have thought 'Ah-ma' (with a long a), but some might think 'Ay-ma' (like Amy), or A-mah (with emphasis on last syllable). Not difficult to pronounce once you know how though!

Wouldn't worry about big brother contestants - I never watch that either so had no idea, but I'm sure these minor celebrities will be long forgotten by the time your DD is old enough to care!

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