Aaron

[bubblybrit]

I have a DD called Anna.

Will be TTC#2 shortly so this is a bit hypothetical at the moment!

If we are fortunate enough to conceive baby number 2 then my favourite boys name is Aaron. However I’m worried that it’s too similar to Anna?

Appreciate that we may have another girl so this may not be a concern but sense checking now as don’t want my heart set on a name that doesn’t quite fit/suit DDs.

How are you pronouncing it? And actually, following Frozen, how do you pronounce Anna. The way I say them, they do not sound similar, but I can see that they might with different pronunciations.

@Scarby9. I would pronounce Aaron as in the Isle of Arran. I’ve not seen Frozen so not sure how they pronounce Anna. My DD has what I’d say is the typical/classical pronunciation i.e. Ann-a

Anna and Aaron-pronounced-Arran sounds too close to me.

In the other hand, Anna and Aaron-pronounced-AIRon sounds great. That’s also my preferred pronunciation.

@Thneedville. Yes this is what I’m worried about as it would be Arran given that I’m Scottish so want to keep the traditional pronunciation.

Why not call him Arran, spelled like that?? We choose that and I prefer the spelling.

But having said that, they are very similar. How about having Arran as a middle name and coding a new first name?

Chose
Choosing

Gah!

Anna and Aaron is a bit matchy. At least you've lots of time to find another name!

Yes still all hypothetical. Thanks for the feedback. It was what I thought but have always wanted an Aaron if having a boy. We just didn’t think it through when we choose DD name!

I think it's fine
Aaron and Anna work really well together
Can't see an issue here

You need to do the shouting-up-the-stairs or across-the-park test and see if they are distinguishable in your accent. Given that vowel sounds tend to carry more easily over long distances I think they are potentially too similar but that’s just in my accent.

It difficult as I can’t really ask anyone irl as then they’d know that we are planning to conceive number 2! I think I’m worried as they both has the ‘ah’ sound at the beginning.

I think they’re fine together. Lovely names.

Interesting that you say the Arran pronunciation is the traditional / Scottish one.
When I was growing up, any Aarons were Air-on. Then when I started teaching they were all Arran. I had always assumed that was the newer pronunciation.
In Frozen, Anna has a long Ahh at the start Ah-na.
Even if the names do sound similar, you can still have them. I know pairs of siblings Christopher and Christie (named after their dad...), Laura and Lauren, William (although known as Billy) and Willow. I did raise an eyebrow at each of those, but the kids are individuals and it's their name. They just sound a bit matchy when said together, but they will grow up and go out into the world on their own.
Your potential names are nowhere near as similar as those. If you love them, use them.

I have an Arron - pronounced the same way you want to.

I didn’t want his name spelt like Aaron because I was dreading people calling him Air-ron.

I’m glad we made that decision because there’s a tv programme (comedy) and when it is advertised on the TV it includes a teacher doing the register and he says: “A-A-Ron” for a boy who is listed as Aaron

My son loves it and sometimes goes running around shouting “My name is A-A-Ron” - and no matter how many times I tell him that it doesn’t apply to him because his name isn’t spelt with two A’s he still finds it funny

Anyhow, back on topic: My cousin’s friend has got two children called Lucy and Lucas and their similar starting sounds doesn’t seem odd at all, I really like it.

I think Anna and Arran sound lovely together.

(FWIW - if we’d had a girl we were really keen on the name Anna) - you have great taste in names

@Scarby9. I’ve only ever heard Aaron pronounced as AIR-on on American TV programmes. All Aaron’s I know are pronounced as Arran. Maybe I’m wrong about the traditional pronunciation though! Might have made an assumption as never heard the AIR-on version where I live!

Thank you @QueenofmyPrinces. It took us a long time to decide on Anna but really happy that we did. She just seems to suit the name 😀 great minds think alike!

Thank you to all others that have replied. Certainly has given DH and I something to think about....glad we have plenty of time to do so lol 😂

I would only ever pronounce Aaron as Air-on. The standard biblical way. Pronouncing it as Arran is very odd to me. Anyway, Whichever way you say it, it doesn’t go with Anna at all. Anna is classic, Continental Christian. Aaron is Old Testament Jewish, Hebrew.

Anyway, Whichever way you say it, it doesn’t go with Anna at all. Anna is classic, Continental Christian. Aaron is Old Testament Jewish, Hebrew.

But people in real life don’t think like this.

I have a second son and I’m pretty sure when I’m asked his name they aren’t internally thinking, “How ridiculous that she called him that, it isn’t even Old Testament and Jewish like his brother’s name is.”

But people in real life don’t think like this.

In real life, they do. With two names of very different styles, many people would raise an eyebrow and think it’s slightly odd.

In real life, they do. With two names of very different styles, many people would raise an eyebrow and think it’s slightly odd.

We will have to disagree then

I don’t think anyone would hear the names Arran and Anna and their first thought be that they are silly sibling names because they don’t have the same religious backgrounds.

Or maybe it’s just my social circle who wouldn’t have thoughts like that...

If someone had a Cleopatra and a Bob, that might seem odd, but I wouldn’t even bat an eyelid at siblings called Arran and Anna.

Arran and Anna are a better match than Aaron and Anna. They don’t jar so much. It’s not really about religion, it’s more cultural difference.

Anna and Aaron are not hugely different styles, most people don't read into names in this way at all. Many certainly don't give a damn about religious connotations - modern or otherwise - they might have

If it were along the lines of Anna and Muhammed or Anna and Paizlyn then that might raise a few eyebrows, yes. However two fairly standard Western names will not be blinked at.

I would avoid Anna and Aaron though OP, I think they are too similar. Do agree with you that Arran is the nicer pronunciation!

Of course Anna originates from a Hebrew biblical name too (Hannah), like a lot of other traditional European names, eg John, Elizabeth, Mary/Maria. So not that different to Aaron.

I'm Scottish with a N.E accent. Anna is my favourite girls name. With a Scottish accent Anna and Aaron sound fine together .