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Is this baby name ethnically neutral?

109 replies

BrinaEds · 02/11/2022 12:53

Afternoon All,

Our little one has finally arrived but we are stuck on a name for her and would love your thoughts on this one

Out of curiosity, what ethnicity comes to mind when you hear the name Ayana / Ayanna.

  • White
  • Black
  • Mixed
  • Asian
  • Ethnically neutral
  • if other please specify

xXx

OP posts:
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dottypencilcase · 02/11/2022 14:17

Asian 100%

IVflytrap · 02/11/2022 14:19

I wouldn't make any assumptions if heard it in passing, but if someone pressed me on it, I would think it sounds more culturally Arabic/Middle Eastern or possibly African American. It makes me think a of names like Aisha/Ayesha, which are common in those cultures.

It's a nice name though, and I don't think it leans strongly in any cultural direction.

OhBeAFineGuyKissMe · 02/11/2022 14:19

Arabic/ Middle Eastern

SudocremOnEverything · 02/11/2022 14:21

I don’t think it’s possible to have an ‘ethnically neutral’ name. Names are always cultural.

Some names may be used in a wider range of cultures than others, but there’s no neutral pool of names devoid of any cultural attachments out there.

mintich · 02/11/2022 14:24

I would assume black or Asian

chocolateandtea123 · 02/11/2022 14:24

Definitely not white British. I like it though. Ayana. It's lovely.

KvotheTheBloodless · 02/11/2022 14:30

Definitely Middle Eastern or Black, most likely the former. I've met 2, both were of Arabic origin.

KvotheTheBloodless · 02/11/2022 14:31

It's an Islamic name, hence the Arabic connection.

caroleanboneparte · 02/11/2022 14:34

Arabic

SheepDance · 02/11/2022 14:38

Never heard of it, so I wouldn't think anything in particular apart from how do you pronounce it!

Navyandgolden · 02/11/2022 14:41

I would guess black African.

slowquickstep · 02/11/2022 14:43

Congratulations. Use whatever name you want to use, it is 2022 and no race ,creed or religion owns a name.

Luredbyapomegranate · 02/11/2022 14:45

Arabic maybe?

Meltfown · 02/11/2022 14:47

No idea really but I'd probably lean to Asian.

I'd have not a hope of being able to pronounce it.

User2975976427 · 02/11/2022 14:48

DuchessOfSausage · 02/11/2022 13:53

I'd think Ayana was not of white british heritage

This

RHOAD · 02/11/2022 14:57

Meltfown · 02/11/2022 14:47

No idea really but I'd probably lean to Asian.

I'd have not a hope of being able to pronounce it.

Its pronounced Ahhh- yaan - na
Very common & popular name in the Black Caribbean/African American culture.
I don''t know it's definitive origin though.

CannibalQueen · 02/11/2022 15:03

Disney.

orangeisthenewpuce · 02/11/2022 15:07

Generic made up name

Dreamingcats · 02/11/2022 15:12

I'd guess Indian if I had to, but not strongly enough that I'd be surprised that they are white British. Blends in with all the Eliana, Ariella, Elena type names.

containsnuts · 02/11/2022 15:16

Reminds me of a youtube family I used to watch that had a daughter with this name. They were white, vegan, hippies that lived on a bus!

misteriosa · 02/11/2022 15:23

I'd think Black because of Ayanna Pressley and a handful of other African-American women I've heard of named Ayanna or Ayana.

I've never heard of it in the context of Arabic or Islamic names -- though I am definitely not an expert in that area. I'm just basing that idea on the Arabic names I've encountered personally or read.

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 02/11/2022 15:24

Arabic for me.

Marblessolveeverything · 02/11/2022 15:24

It is a name of a resort / hotel I stayed in Bali so I would think parents may have been there.

Notmytiep · 02/11/2022 15:25

containsnuts · 02/11/2022 15:16

Reminds me of a youtube family I used to watch that had a daughter with this name. They were white, vegan, hippies that lived on a bus!

hahahaaa I use to watch this too

LolaSmiles · 02/11/2022 15:29

I would be surprised if the child and family were white European, and would probably assume one or both of the parents had black heritage.