Any thoughts on Anaïs?

[EmeraldCoast]

I?m looking for a strong but feminine name that isn?t Amelia (love it but know three Amelias). What do you think about Anaïs?

I actually really like it and a very good alternative to Amelia!

1. Meg thingy and Noel Gallagher's child
2. Sweet sickly perfume
3. Unpronounceable unless you are French.

I have no idea how to say it . Is it ah-nay-us? My first giggle is that it's anus, but I know it's not how it's said because it's french!

It's pronounced ah-nah-(y)eece. Well, sort of. It's hard to explain.
I've heard of people who pronounce it as annay, which makes me shudder.

I've heard it pronounced uncomfortably close to 'anus' and this was by the baby's loving family. It's a lovely name but maybe have a look at other french names that have a clearer pronunciation for english speakers?

well I am clearly a complete and utter moron, I have been saying an ay for ages. Luckily I have never bought the perfume, or discussed it in rl.

I think it's lovely. I would put it on a list with Anya- which I think is of a similar ilk.

Old French names are hard for kids. My brother has an old French name and he is constantly spelling and pronouncing it.I should think after 43 years he's petty tired of this which may be why his kids all have very normal easy to say and spell names!

I love it.

But I am bilingual and it is the name of one of my French cousins!

Love it, it is pronounced Ann eye eece( as in Reece)

Other ideas

Alba
Antonia
Anastasia

Love it. One of my dds has it as a middle name. But she is French.

Porn name par excellence - Anais nin.

The girl/woman will spend her whole life spelling/pronouncing it for people and the ï will be a pain when she's typing.

It's horrible and forever linked to Meg Mathews in my mind.

Too difficult and would end in endless explanations of the spelling/pronunciation. Most British people would pronounce it Annay (as in the perfume). I would.

Amelia is a lovely name but if you can't have it how about Amelie? Annabel is beautiful, as is Ariadne.

How about Anouk?

Sorry another no.

I don't like the two little dot things

I immediately think of the Perfume.

If FingersCrossedLegsNot. I have been pronouncing it wrong

I hate Anais Nin (she includes child sex in her books - young girl getting flirty and more with an older man - that's peodophilia if you ask me)

Thank you for all your comments ? lots to think about. I didn?t know about the Noel Gallagher connection and hadn?t thought of the unfortunate linguistic minefield.
NowPlayingZone ? Anya is gorgeous and is on my list!
AlisonClare ? I love the name Antonia

Don't like it.
Howabout Alicia?

Really nice and imo much nicer than Amelia.

Like Anya too. That was Father Christmas' wife in Santa Claus the Movie :)

like it

I don't see Amelia as being a strong name at all, it comes over as whiny to me.

Another vote for Antonia here. Are we just looking for A names?

I agree Amelia to me is the female version of Alfie. Both terribly overused, cutesy names and would not put them in the "strong" category.