Anna or Anya

[Whatdayisit76]

Dh loves the name Anna, I like it but feel it may be a bit bland, probably because I went to school with a few.
I love Anya, dh likes it, he just prefers Anna.

Which do you prefer?

Love Anya but I knew that everyone would pronounce it Ann-ya whereas I prefer Arn-ya so we didn’t go for it. Lovely name though

Anya! It’s pretty. I wouldn’t think to pronounce it Arnya though, if that would make a difference to you.

Anya sounds more quirky and lively.

I pronounce it Ann-ya.

I would defo go for Anya
My cousin is called this she spells
It Ania

Anna is easier and is so classic. With Anya, she'll end up having to repeat and/or spell her name out all the time

I like them both. But agree Anya is less "bland"

Also like Annie.

I know an annabelle who gets called Annie.

I'd go with Anna, not keen on Anya at all.

To me they are both kinda bland sorry I feel mean saying that. Just neither makes me go ohhh

I love both
I guess with Anya you can still use Anna as a nickname or other way round potentially

I like Anna, but Anya is fab!

Anna 100%, Anya is lovely, but Anna is the absolute classic.

They're both nice. Anya is, of course, the Russian nickname for Anna. So, I guess you could do Anna with nickname Anya, if pre-planned nicknames are your thing, but it might come off as a bit strange if you're not from a Russian/Slavic background.

Anna's the more versatile of the two, very international. I think any name would stop being bland and start feeling special once it's on your daughter.

What about Annabella or Annabelle ? I think they are lovely and you could still use Anna as a nn or the full name.

I like both, but I prefer Anna.

Anya! Or Annabel, as pp suggested. Agree that Anna sounds dull.

Anna - not esp common right now and beautiful /international.

I don’t mind Anya, but I think it’s less beautiful and not especially unusual so can’t see any benefit really.

Thankyou for your responses so far, I'm not sure if were any closer to deciding yet. I do wonder if I perhaps prefer Anya just because I don't know anybody with this name, rather than because its a nicer sounding name. When I say them out loud I do feel Anna sounds prettier, and agree it is very classic. Weve got lots of thinking to do..

Anna is boring. And now runs the risk of being pronounced Arna thanks to Frozen.

I like Anya.

I’d probably go with Anne nn Annie when little. Appreciate that is not a name you’re actually considering though.

Anna is much more classic/timeless, Anya is more fun and exotic sounding in the UK. If it were me, I'd put Anna on the BC (it won't date, and travels well) but call her Anya - as Anya is a nn/pet name for Anna in many countries.

Anna is much nicer.

Anna

Anya ok too but Anna just so much prettier

Both lovely - this is a hard one. I probably slightly prefer Anna, but if popularity was an issue I'd probably choose Anya. I do like that Anya is a bit different.

Anya! It was on my list for both DDs. I love the name Anastasia with Anya for nn. But I hesitated as I really dont like the name Annie and I would worry people would call her that.
Anna is nice but common imo. My vote in Anya 100%

Anna nn Anya! Anya is one letter away from Tanya.

I do love Anna because it’s happy and bright and international with the cute nn Annie, but I sometimes wonder if it’s frumpy sounding? I’m not sure, but Anya as a nn would make it sound exciting for sure! ❤️