One for the Welshies :)

[EnwBueno]

28 weeks pregnant with a DD and think we have decided on Anest/Annest. I am Welsh, DH is not, and we don't live in Wales (but might well do in the future).

I can't decide on the spelling. Both are in the Heini Gruffudd book. To me, Anest seems the more 'correct/traditional' Welsh spelling somehow, plus the few Anests in the last couple of years baby name lists have this spelling. But...

• she will probably grow up in England and I worry that Anest would automatically be pronounced 'Ay-nest' (which is a little too close to Anus for my liking as well as bring potentially irritating)
• we want to shorten to Annie and I think this flows better from Annest
• I think I just like Annest better!

Don't know any in RL.

Welsh folk (or anyone really!), what are your thoughts? I prefer traditional spellings of names and don't really want to give her an 'alternative' spelling of a classic name, esp if we move to Wales one day. Do you know any Annests/Anests? How would you spell it?

Thanks!!

Annest is a very normal spelling of it. I would go with the double n

Annest is fine, especially if you are in England, and still perfectly acceptable in Wales.
(I live in England and have a Dewi - often it gets pronounced Dewey and even those who get the name almost correct end up spelling it Dowie!)

Hi - I too am Welsh living in England, but really wanted my daughter to have a link to her Welsh heritage (dh is English) We called our daughter Seren. Which is the Welsh word for "Star" We have so many lovely comments about her name, and no-one seems to struggle with the pronounciation - I am so glad we gave her a Welsh name. I like Anest too - My friend has a little girl called Anwen ( sounds v pretty) Good luck!

Thanks all!

Team I think Dewi is one of those ones that always gets a bit mangled, but to a Welsh person looks so easy to pronounce - Anest with one 'n' looks obvious to me, but I just know it will be easier for folk to 'get it' with the double n.

Mind you we know a couple living in England who have a Melangell. Now that's brave!!

I have an Anest in my class at school. Pretty name.

I also like Seren and Haf.

Definitely spelled with one n 2kids?

See I am looking for Annests :)

I think you may be overthinking it to be honest!! Anest is how I've always assumed it's spelt...don't think I've ever seen it spelt with another 'n'. I don't think English people would necessarily pronounce it Aynest, would they? English is such a daft language, words beginning with an A are pronounced all kinds of different ways. I actually think Anest is a really good name for a Welsh girl in England, it's pretty easy to pronounce no 'll' or 'ch' to try and get tongues round or no common letters that are pronounced completely differently (like the 'I' in Iolo for example).

I am English. If I saw the name, which I have never heard before but is lovely, I'd guess you'd say it An-est.

Yes, def with one 'n'.

www.namenerds.com/welsh/trad1.html

Yes, being welsh I would definitely have one n! Our Christmas show in school this year was called anest yr angel.