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Original poster

Thoughts on Gaia

47 replies

SherbertLemons · 22/08/2021 19:54

I posted a while back about this name as I'd never heard it before. I think it's quite beautiful and most posters tended to agree so, just asking again to get a wider selection of opinions.

What do you think of the name Gaia for a little girl? Pronounced "Guy-a".

Apparently, it's very popular in Italy (number 16 in the name charts). My dad's Italian so I have Italian heritage.

If you do like it why do you think it's not used more?

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ActonSquirrel · 22/08/2021 19:56

First thought was Emma Thompson. Named her daughter Gaia. Trying to be trendy. Flying in from LA to attend an extinction rebellion protest. Hypocrisy of the highest order.

That aside. It isn't a pretty name. Has the sound Guy in it which is quite masculine.

ILoveAnOwl · 22/08/2021 19:58

I LOVE it. But then I also love Emma Thompson, all things 'trendy' and quite like an extinction rebellion rally so maybe it has a type?...

Geamhradh · 22/08/2021 19:59

Lovely. But I'm in Italy and know quite a lot. It's not considered new agey or anything here, just nice.

whenwillthemadnessend · 22/08/2021 19:59

Mother Earth in Greek mythology and very powerful god

ActonSquirrel · 22/08/2021 19:59

@ILoveAnOwl

I LOVE it. But then I also love Emma Thompson, all things 'trendy' and quite like an extinction rebellion rally so maybe it has a type?...
You like disrupting peoples lives shutting down the tubes and forcing people into cars and the unholy mess left in London. Live protests that achieve nothing

Wonderful

Harpydragon · 22/08/2021 19:59

I always think that this means mother earth and because of that wouldn't choose to use it. I think in the English language it sounds quite harsh, but if you love it, go for it. It doesn't really matter what other people think.

PlanDeRaccordement · 22/08/2021 19:59

I think Gaia is a pretty name and is a name of an Earth Goddess. Better than naming your child Parsley.

Haggisfish3 · 22/08/2021 19:59

I like it, regardless of Emma t!

whenwillthemadnessend · 22/08/2021 20:00

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaia

HopeClearwater · 22/08/2021 20:00

It’s also a scientific theory about how the Earth is thought to regulate itself. Programme on Radio 4 about it earlier Smile

SpindleWhorl · 22/08/2021 20:02

Makes me think of Gaia Milinovich, whom I admire tremendously Smile

Here is a pic of her with that bloke who played in D:Ream ages ago.

Thoughts on Gaia
velvetstar · 22/08/2021 20:03

I know a little girl called Gaia. It's such a lovely name, though her mum does have to explain it's not pronounced 'Gay-a' A LOT, so as long as that doesn't bother you then I'd say go for it. Beautiful name Smile

LynseyLoses · 22/08/2021 20:05

I'd feel weird using it as a baby name as it's a popular term with anti-natalist environmentalists iirc..? Reminds me of them anyway, but that might just be me.

Christmasbird · 22/08/2021 20:09

Its nice but I prefer Gia.

Cam2020 · 22/08/2021 20:11

Depending where you are, people won't know how to pronounce it and she'll get a lot of Gay-a.

Not sure really, on the one hand I like and it's certainly a strong name, on the other

Cam2020 · 22/08/2021 20:12

I can't help but think on the castration of Uranus and feel a bit disturbed. I have the same problem with Regan.

Pieceofpurplesky · 22/08/2021 20:18

I love it

WiggIyWoo · 22/08/2021 20:22

Taught a Kaia once (same pronunciation but with a K) and I had to think every time I said it. I'm not keen to be honest.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 22/08/2021 20:25

Beautiful, one of my favourite names. I can only guess it's not used more because of the pronunciation - I suspect you will get the occasional "Gay -ah?" as not everyone has heard of it , and perhaps some might think it's a too close in sound to boys name Guy. But I love it - elegant, classical and underused.

SourMilkGhyll · 22/08/2021 20:28

Just be aware that there is something called Gaia Theory, probably best to read up on it if you are going to name your child that.
Nothing too controversial about it, earth regulating itself, but good to be aware of.

Elouera · 22/08/2021 20:29

An Italian colleague is named Gaia, so I'm familiar with the pronunciation, but I wouldn't choose it for a baby. She will constantly be telling people its not Gay-a or Gia, its Guy-a!!!

I personally wouldn't want a girls name that has Guy as the predominant word in it. Especially when there are so many lovely, Italian inspired girls names that are prettier and easy to read and pronounce.

Gladioli23 · 22/08/2021 20:32

I think I tend to think about the children's book series Percy Jackson and it's follow ones when I hear the name Gaia, where the earth goddess is destructive and very much the enemy of the overarching series.

Crockof · 22/08/2021 20:33

Honestly it looks pretty on paper but it reads as gayer , and the real pronunciation is little better, guy a

MrsSkylerWhite · 22/08/2021 20:36

Means Mother Earth I think? (Seem to recall a 70s book?)

Yes, pretty name, strong too.

NoHeavenNoMore · 22/08/2021 21:05

Love it x