Kaya or Katya

[caitlinrose]

Which one do you prefer and why?

Kaya is one of my husband's favourites. We took it off our list because it received a lot of "it's chavvy" comments here which confused me because Kaia didn't get nearly as many of such comments. We just don't want to make her life more difficult. But DH really loves it and it has been growing on me a bit more as well. Is it really that bad and does it matter whether it's spelled Kaya or Kaia (or Kaja which is Scandinavian)? We pronouced them all ky-ah and I always thought it was the standard even though I guess you could say kay-ah for Kaya.

Then I stumbled across Katya in a book and thought it was nice as well. Is it more classic? It feels more grown up to me but a bit less fun and youthful.

I guess they are both pretty international which is nice. I recently heard of a Japanese actress called Kaya.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[RubyRoss]

I like Katya. As far as I know, it's Kate to Katherine in Russian languages. I work with a Romanian Katya whose official name is Ecaterina.

[Pixilicious1]

Japanese spelling is Kaiya. I would say Kaya as Kay-a. Katya is much nicer in my opinion .

[YaffleYaffle]

I think they’re both lovely. Use Kaya if you really love it!

[caitlinrose]

@Pixilicious1

Japanese spelling is Kaiya. I would say Kaya as Kay-a. Katya is much nicer in my opinion .

The Japanese actress is Kaya Kiyohara and I only saw it spelled like this when it comes to Japanese actresses/people in public life.

[toastofthetown]

I prefer Katya. It feels softer. Kaya feels a bit tired to me.

[JellyDeels]

If you're in the UK, I suggest the spelling Kya if you're wanting the "KY-a" pronunciation. Because myself and many others would instinctively say both Kaya and Kaia as "KAY-a".

[caitlinrose]

@JellyDeels

If you're in the UK, I suggest the spelling Kya if you're wanting the "KY-a" pronunciation. Because myself and many others would instinctively say both Kaya and Kaia as "KAY-a".

Thank you, unfortunately Kya looks very trendy to me so I personally wouldn't consider it. It's the same with Mya.

Personally I have only ever heard Kaia and Kaya as ky-ah. There is also an actress called Kaya Scodelario who says her name like ky-ah. I always thought she was rather well known but maybe I'm wrong.

[Pixiedust1234]

I prefer Katya too. It rolls off the tongue easier (and can be twisted slightly for nicknames, eg Kat, Kate, Kath, Kitty). Sorry!

[roarfeckingroarr]

I love Kaia, like Kaya and Katya is nice too (helpful)

[ChristmasCakeAndStilton]

I'd go for Kaia or Katya (this is my prefered choice)

I'd instinctively say kay-a for your prefered spelling.

[MingoDringo]

I sat Kay ah too.

K names are always always called chavvy on here. No idea why.

[Cleebope2]

Katya

[blitzen]

I like both.

Kaya reminds me of the Bob Marley album. So kind of cool and a bit edgy. I would pronounce it Kai-er.

Like Katya too. Probably less likely to be pronounced incorrectly.

[dream28]

I prefer Katya, but also love Kaia spelling.

[dream28]

they are both lovely names.

[PeekAtYou]

I would say Ka-ya rather than Kay-a
I think that K names are generally unpopular here unless it's a "timeless name" like Kate or Kit.
Personally I like both of the names but Kaya has the edge. I think the Kaia spelling looks better but I can't explain why.

[sopeas]

Katya is much nicer. Kay a Ky ah Mi a My a too many of these names around all blending into one

[SkylightSkylight]

I think no matter which spelling you use, it will be said 100 different way, people can mangle anything!!

I prefer Katya, but on meeting a little Katya, I'd expect at least one of her parents to be from Poland, Romania etc. I'd find it odd if you were both from Hull 😂 but it doesn't really matter!

I'm glad you've closed down Kya.

maybe you should consider Jane?!

[Penguinsaregreat]

I’d pronounce Kaya as Kay-a
I prefer Katya.

[DivorcedAndDelighted]

Katya - it is classy, timeless, works in many countries and cultures and pronunciation is straightforward.
Kaya isn't a name I've ever heard of & I would always be wondering how to pronounce it.

[Derrymum123]

Katya sounds nicer to me. Has a Polish/Eastern European to me. Lovely classy name.

[Foxtrot101]

I used to work with a Swedish Katya, I think it's nice but a very different feel at Kaya/Kaia - both of which I was pronouncing Kay-a until I reached the part where you said you pronounce it Ky-ah.
I guess it's the same with Maya some people say May-a others My-ah, hard to avoid but once corrected people usually get it.
I don't see it is being a chavvy name at all and I definitely don't think you would be making life hard for your DD with either name choice. You should go with the name you love.

[Thisisnotmyname2]

I agree Katya is odd if both parents are British but it's a nice name.

Kaya is ok, I went to school with a Maya (could also be spelled Maia) and never thought it was chavvy.

[Kite22]

I would read Kaya as Kay-ah too, and agree with pp who said if you want it pronounce with an "eye" sound you would need to spell it Kya.

I mean, I'm not keen either way, but that is obviously down to personal taste.

I prefer Katya out of the two, but if I saw / heard that name, I would assume there were an interesting heritage which I would probably ask about at some point - which gets waring if there isn't.

[lljkk]

MN name "chav" prejudices about names can feck off to feckity feck.
And yes I like lots of "made up" names, too.
Even though my own DC all have names like Amy or Mark.
Having to explain pronunciation is a faff, but honestly it happens with lots of conventional names, too, so shouldn't be a deal-breaker.
You wouldn't believe how many ways there are to spell Aimee...

I went to school with a Katya, born 1968, & that's nice, too.