Is this baby name ethnically neutral?

[BrinaEds]

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

With Ayana I could imagine that it might be Japanese because I know several Japanese women named Aya as well as an Ayano and an Ayako and an Ayaka.

Ayanna looks made up to me. I wouldn't expect a certain ethnicity but I would expect younger parents (possibly teenagers).

I personally really like the look of Aiyana but wouldn't use it as I find it too made-up looking.

Asian.

The baby name Ayana is of Swahili origin and means “beautiful flower”. This female name has become a multi-cultural baby name and is common across several African countries, Japan, and America.

I'm wondering if this is correct because I checked it in a Swahili dictionary and that meaning didn't come up.

I tried "ayana", "ayanna", "aya", "ay", "yana", "yanna", "yan".

Pretty name but I think Arianna may be easier for her as everyone will know how to spell/say it.

Ayanna is nice though and I would assume white european but that's because I know a white (non British) Anya and the name written down made me think of her.

Congratulations!

Arabic / Muslim Aisian

Arabic, muslim name.

I know an Ayana with a Black African heritage. Haven't seen it spelt the other way though

Black or Asian. I have known one of each ethnicity

I'm guessing Hispanic.

Thanks everyone!

It's definitely not a made up name, it means beautiful flower.

So it seems the general consensus is that it sounds like a name with Asain/Arabic/Muslim routes. I really like the name but wanted something more ethnically neutral but having seen comments from @SudocremOnEverything and @slowquickstep there's probably no such thing.

The more I think about it, the more I think this is probably about wanting a name that when my DD goes into the real world of work she won't be overlooked because her name may suggest a particular background, as sad as that sounds in this day and age.

@PeterPomegranate we have so many Maya's and Mia's around us it's not an option unfortunately.

I think we're back to the drawing board 😩. But I really appreciate of your views ❤️

The more I think about it, the more I think this is probably about wanting a name that when my DD goes into the real world of work she won't be overlooked because her name may suggest a particular background, as sad as that sounds in this day and age.

if this is your aim then I think you need a more traditional British name.

Closest to yours would probably be

anna
annabelle
alicia
alice
annaliese

Asian. Does it matter though, couldn't imagine being upset that someone thought my daughter was of a different heritage because of her name. Beautiful name btw

I would check that meaning again if it's important to you. I also saw that it means "flower" in Swahili but when I checked a dictionary it didn't come up.

Similar names:

Alana
Amaya
Amira
Alina
Ayla
Annabel

overlooked because her name may suggest a particular background
Go for something 'safe' and fairly popular.
If the surname is unusual, go for a simple first name.
It is sad that we get judged on our names, but it happens,
just like we get judged on our age or looks.

Does it matter though, couldn't imagine being upset that someone thought my daughter was of a different heritage because of her name.
You might not, but others might mind being wrong, and your daughter might mind being asked yet again if she has a certain heritage.

I disagree.

Black or mixed race

I'ts 2022 and you're still so ignorant wow.

@caitlinrose , baby name sites are often unreliable.
@slowquickstep , I disagree too.

@BrinaEds I would consider a beautiful sounding name that isn't so suggestive of an ethnicity that you have no connection with. What about Athena, Allegra, Ariella, Anya, Alexis, Annabelle, Audrey. Or away from A names, Sasha, Celeste, Cecily, Felicity, Jemima, Isobel, Laurel, Penelope

Just another thing to consider to check you like it - my daughters friend called Ayaana gets called Yanna by her friends.

So check you like the shortened version too!

Sorry you feel you can't use it! But if the idea that it MIGHT hold your daughter back will bother you, it may not be "the" name for you.

In terms of similar names possibly more familiar in the UK without being super popular, how about Adriana, Annika, or Ariadne? Or if the initial A- isn't important, perhaps something like Diana, Hanna(h), Liliana, Mariana, Susannah?

I think it’s important to remember that:

1. Current attitudes to race and ethnicity are likely to have shifted somewhat (in unknowable ways) by the time your baby daughter is looking for work. So your fears aren’t necessarily going to play out (however understandable they are). The name may even turn out to be an advantage.
2. Choosing a name to fit in in the UK won’t help her if she’s applying for jobs outside the UK. And she may well be. You don’t know.

I’d say that choosing a name you love is more important.

Current attitudes to race and ethnicity are likely to have shifted somewhat (in unknowable ways) by the time your baby daughter is looking for work. So your fears aren’t necessarily going to play out (however understandable they are).

LOL

Things change. 20-25 years is a long time. 🤷🏻‍♀️