Girls' names that work in 3 languages...

[user1484167681]

Morning all! I love the baby names threads :D Thought I'd post our challenge - we need a girl's name that works in English, Russian and Spanish. Obviously you can say a name in any language and with any accent, but we'd like a name that actually sounds good in all three and doesn't require extensive explanations.

So far I've used Ancient Greek names for inspiration, but quite a lot of them are very "heavy" names, IYSWIM. Possible options have included Anna (bit boring?), Nina (my current favourite, DH is not sold), Natalia...

Surname is a very standard Spanish name ending in -ia, that can be pronounced in English with no trouble. All suggestions welcomed! :)

we had to find names for English, Russian and Dutch.
We have a Lucy (lucia in Russian) and a Miriam (Mariam in Russian)

the Russian pronounciations were just a little different and we didn't mind. Russian names get their endings changed in every sentence anyway due to grammar, so Lucy to Lucia was pretty normal.
(or maybe it should be written Luciya?)

Gaia. Pronounced Guy-A.
Simple, short, easy to say in a range of accents and languages, easy to spell, very very beautiful. Greek. Means goddess of the earth.

I personally would avoid names with Rs (Lara, Tamara, etc.). The different R used in English and Spanish (and maybe Russian... I don't know) would bug me too much.

I like Inessa though. I also like Inés.

I'm a fan of Natalia too. Beautiful name and perfectly well-known in all three languages.

Haha, my mum made the same point re Inessa, but I also like Eva and I'm not changing that just because of Eva Braun! I'm sure there have been bad/stupid women with almost every name under the sun - just have to hope my baby isn't one of them! :D

Thanks, the suggestions are really helpful and the shortlist is again expanding!

Sara or Victoria?

Lydia/Lidia
Alisa
Ariadna
Ariana
Diana
Elena
Eva
Isidora
Julia
Lilia
Lena
Maria
Marina
Selena
Sabina
Sofia
Tatiana
Valentina
Vera

I too was going to suggest Ines. Greek - Helen, Artemis, Sofia.

Sofia
Helena
Maria
Olivia
Clara
Sasha

You get the idea ...

Lived in Russia. All those would work.

I know people from a Spanish speaking country (not Spain), Lara isn't an issue for them pronunciation wise, which is what made me suggest it.

It obviously works for Russians, though is generally a diminutive of Larissa there rather than a standalone name.

Maria is always a good one

I love Nina. Timeless, international, classic, strong.

I would also consider Mila.

Nina is an excellent one.

I like Maria, but it's the name of an immediate relative. Possibly Marianna or Marina as pretty alternatives? Although I think Marina sounds odd in English.

Marina is a Royal Family name - wasn't there a glam one in the 30s called Marina. And another named after her.
I knew a Filipina Marina (not helpful but she was cool).

Marisa/Marissa - first with a long i sound and the second with a short i

Nina is perfectly pronunceable in Spanish but not an actual name in Spanish afaik

Mia would also work in all three if you're looking for a Maria/Marina type name

Sofia would definitely work ( I actually know three 7 yr olds with this name who are English, Russian and Spanish!)

I love Ana/ Anna though. Natalia is also very pretty

Mia doesn't work in Spanish, it means mine. It's mine, es mia.

I'd go for Sofia.

Inessa is beautiful op - push for it!

Camilla / Camila / Kamila / Kamilla (pick your spelling)

Eva
Ava
Lydia
Natalie/Natalia

Alicia
Sophia

Lena
Lina

I love Tamara and Nadia.

Marina is a beautiful name also in English.

Maya