Dasha

[Pluto30]

What do you all think of the name Dasha (for a girl)?

We wanted to use it for DD1 but thought it wasn't usable enough in non-Russian culture. It's traditionally a nickname for Darya/Daria but we don't like the full name and don't think Dasha from Daria would come naturally for people where we live.

But we're looking at using it this time 'round. Just not sure if it is unusable. Or just horrible and we're blinded?

Yes, but she will still be called Dasha when she goes to school. And Christmas does happen every year..........

Pinkie That's like saying people will only connect the name Santa to Santa Claus at Christmas time.

In other words, you're wrong.

I like it a lot

Chinlo

I didn't realise that Santa was such a common nickname and shortened version of another name.
is it Stephen? is that what Santa is short for?

From the OP:
It's traditionally a nickname for Darya/Daria but we don't like the full name and don't think Dasha from Daria would come naturally for people where we live.

Also from the OP:
I'm not in the UK.

so assuming that the OP is elsewhere in Europe, there is a good chance that they dot even call "Dasher" "Dasher"

(Op mentions nonRussian so I assume she is in or near Russia is from a Russian background, I believe Xmas in Russia is very different to UK? isn't it Babushka over there?)

I'm in Australia, but husband is Scandi, so having a name that translates well is important. But I'm not a fan of typical Scandinavian/Norse names.

Russian names tend to translate well there. Well, Eastern European names, in general, do.

Have mentioned Dasha in passing a few times with my sons (ages 5.5 and 7) and neither have mentioned the reindeer, but maybe they just don't have an interest?

And prancer...

Dashera and Prancer and Comet and Vixen.

I think it's quite lovely anyway, and I really like Daria too.

Dasher the reindeer is not really much of a 'thing', I would have thought, what with Rudolph being the famous one of course. And it's not like it sounds like a swear word or anything bad. I think you should ignore it, and call her Dasha if you like it.

After all many names sound like something else or have slightly negative meanings if you dissect them. But if they are very well-known or popular names in this country we tend to ignore this. For example Amelia is a medical term for 'limbless' , Claudia means 'lame'. Yet because they are popular we ignore it. And Pippa has very unfortunate meanings in several European languages (wank and blowjob, if I recall correctly), but Brits happily continue to use it to name their daughters.

I think Dasha sounds perfectly fine.

It's Dina Asher-smiths nn but If you're not uk based or a massive athletics fan you probably won't make that connection. I think it's still
A bit reminder for me sorry. Darla?

Reindeer even

Sorry, I too would be singing the Rudolph song.

...& no, things like that last for life, not just a short while. 'Ha ha mate, where's Pranca n Veexen?'

I have a rhotic accent, so I didn't think reindeer (as Dasha and dasher sound very different to me) .

In an Australian accent, wouldn't 'dasher' be pronounced more like (what an English person would hear as) 'desher', and 'Dasha' more like 'darsher'?

I'm another one that thought reindeer

Another one who thought reindeer.

I think it is a lovely name.

Sorry Reindeer was my first thought too - is it a Christmas baby ?
What about Sasha?

I like Dasha, but spelt Dascha like the actor from OITNB I think?

I love Dasha but think Sasha is so much prettier. Nothing wrong with Dasha though.

I don't think it's overly Russian in the way Giancarlo is too Italian. I think it's ambiguous enough. I think with girls' names you can be a bit more creative and people will just think you chose something pretty and feminine. It's a really very nice name and it's unusual. I would use it.