Nia or Nina?

[DesperatelySeekingDistraction]

I thought we had DD2's name sorted, however DH has now thrown a spanner in the works!

I have always loved the name Nina. DH said he preferred another name for DD1 which I also loved. This time I suggested Nina again but DH said he hates the name and can't see us ever using it. Having accepted I'd never have a DD called Nina, Nia became the final choice as we both really like it. I was about to order baby's name for nursery wall and DH announced that he's changed his mind and now likes Nina. Now we can't decide whether to use Nia or Nina.

My thoughts / concerns are:

Nia - will DD2 have to tell people how to pronounce her name? (Nee-ah not ny-ah) I like that it is unusual in England but don't want to create a lifelong problem of pronunciation for DD2. Also I have been thinking of DD2 as Nia since DH vetoed Nina.

Nina - DH was so adament he hated this name that I feel unsure about using it now, but it has always been a firm favourite of mine. Also I know DM doesn't like this name and sees it as an old lady name as it was also the name of my great grandmother.

Over to you, MN jury. Which would you pick?

There's no confusion over the pronunciation of Nia (Nee-ah) my point is that in many parts of the country the word 'near' is pronounced in exactly the same way.

So for some (like me) it might sound a little odd because the sound of the name is the same as a word to describe where something is like 'far away' or 'close'. Granted this is a minor issue and one that most would ignore I'm sure.

100% Nina it is adorable!

My 'vote' is for nia. It's beautiful.

My great niece is called Nia. I didn't know it was also a welsh name (as well as kiswahili)

Lots of Nias in Wales, I know four, two small, two adult. Not at all a made up name. I like it a lot, partly as the ones I know are all lovely, but I think its an odd choice if you aren't Welsh. I know Nina mainly as a nn for Helena or Helen, but it is a pretty name too.

Much prefer Nina, suits any age imo

Nia

I'm an adult Nia! People do.often confuse my name for Mia, but who cares?! It is easy enough to correct.

And those of you thinking it is made up - it's a good old welsh name and there are thousands of Nias over the border! I live in se England by the way.

Nina because it is gorgeous, timeless, works in many languages, easy to pronounce, recognisable but not over used, brings to mind the best female vocalist ever....

really like Nina. think you shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth

Btw op I say go for nina whatever my personal taste. It's the one you love.
I also know a very funky 20 something nina.

Hi ladies,

Im 28 & my name is Nina, i never liked it at school, used to get teased with the neenor neenor (ambulance, police siren noise) a lot!! it was reallly annoying, and still get it now from some immature people!!
Only downside to the name i find is that I always have to spell it to people, otherwise i get called allsorts.
Otherwise i do like the name now, its grown on me!! lol
x

You have to go with Nina. It's your favourite name. Your DH now says he likes it. It was your great grandmother's name. It's a beautiful, classic, underused name (not at all "old lady" to my ears).

If you go with Nia, everyone will ask her if she's Welsh. Lots of people will think she said Mia which is a much more common name. It sounds like "near".

And if I'd had girls, Nina would have been one of my choices.

Thanks everyone.

I've asked DH why he's changed his mind from hating to liking Nina and apparently he thinks that as he likes Nia, and Nina is the same plus an 'n' that he started rethinking why he'd vetoed Nina as really they're very similar. He says he's sure he won't change his mind again now he likes it! However he still can't / won't express a preference between the two names.

4D scan booked for next week so we'll see what DD2 looks like and hopefully decide then. I want to make a decision before I get any more hormonal as I don't trust myself to make the right choice the closer I get to EDD. The fortnight before and month after the birth of DD1 I was an absolute emotional wreck, and have some regrets about things I did and decisions I made at that time, including not giving DD1 a second middle name to go with her very old ladyish and non-fashionable middle name from my beloved Nana. This time the middle name is sorted but the more important first name is still undecided which is (ridiculous, I know) making me stressed. Bloody hormones!

My 'vote'is for Nia, but I'm biased (I have a Mia).
Nina is lovely too, not my favourite but not old lady to me. I know 2 Ninas (and no Nias) who are early 30's, both very smart, successful and social. You can't go wrong!

NIA!! Again I'm biased as I have one. I have an Osian too

I'm Welsh currently in exile but hopefully be back to Wales next year. Have not really had any pronunciation issues with Nia and I can't really see it being a hardship spelling out a 3 letter name in the future.

A Nia and an Osian! How wonderful. Do you get a lot of comments about the folk tale, Cwtch?

No, I did a lot of research (including on mumsnet) and very few people have heard the story. I always wanted a Nia and it wasn't until after I named Osh that I became aware of it :/ but I still loved Nia so decided to use it. Hope they don't make a film of it!!

Is Osian pronounced the same as Oisín (uh-sheen)?

I know a Nia - Welsh origins - Lovely name

I know a Nia and a Nina, I think both names are very nice.

Much prefer Nia. Don't like Nina at all - sorry.
I would pronounce as nee-yah too. Ny-ah never entered my head.

No Squoosh - Osian is Osh-Ann.

I like both very much, but prefer Nina a little more.