Edith or Annika

[Stuckonbabyname]

Trying to decide between two baby names; Edith or Annika. We like both.

Often prefer unusual, so that DD can be known by their christian name (rather than requiring surname to specify which person). Annika is much more unique in this way. But perhaps Edith is also ok (85 last year).

A problem with Annika is that there are so many spellings variations that she will always need to spell her first name (Anika, Anneka). To us Annika is the easiest but curious where you agree? Edith would be easier to spell as there is only one variation.

We love the nn Edie for Edith. Annika would probably always be Annika for us but there are options for her to choose too.

We like names early in the alphabet, a friend (Zoe) often had to wait for ages at school while the teachers went through the list to assign work etc. They both are good for this.

Curious on your opinions? Do you like these names? Preference? Alternative suggestions?

Thank you!

Definitely Annika/ Anneka.
I don't get the attraction for Edith, it seems so old fashioned and hard sounding but I did have a Great Aunt Edith and she fitted her name perfectly.

Thank you all for your comments. It's interesting how polarising this one is. It sounds like it is unlikely for someone to like both of these names. I suppose one is traditional English/old fashioned and the other is Scandinavian, so have a different feel.

It's really helpful to hear why you like or don't like them though.

Another one we considered is Enid but after a bit of research, found the author wrote some racist books in addition to the ones I remembered as a kid, which put us off the name.

Anneka is lovely.
Don't like Edith at all.
Alicia?

Annika isn't nice - a lot of varying spellings, one of the most common being Anika which is an Indian girl name so she could get mistaken for that a lot too. It has a harsh sort of noise but I wouldn't mind it with nickname Anni.

Edith however is lovely, really lovely. Edie as a nickname just tops the cake, it's beautiful!!

Is it a generational thing?

I would definitely put Edith in the exact same friend group as Enid, Edna, Maud and Gladys. I see the names as ultra old fashioned and not nice enough to bring back.

That said, I am aware there's a granny chic movement who put a different spin on the names I strongly dislike.

The truth is in between, sometimes there's a name you'd never dream of choosing, but the person you know owns it and is just lovely, so the name association changes for you.

My choice would be Annika as sleek and strong but not harsh sounding at all, or Edie as strong and somewhat avant-garde. That's probably influenced by a Scandinavian Annie I know who is kind, funny, beautiful and accomplished. The only Edith I've heard of in real life was my MIL's great aunt, who was apparently decidedly sour, which is very unfortunate.

I think your are right about generations and associations.

Interestingly, I wouldn't go with Maud or Gladys because I knew old ladies called this when growing up, so this could really be it.

Your comments made me wonder whether Edith/Edie which we really like, could be a name which is very in or out. It was fashionable in the 1920s and then out of fashion for 100-odd years and now back in. If it does the same again it will be quite a dated name in another 30 years. Where as Annika is like by some without being particularly in fashion, so maybe it won't date as badly in the future.

Annika is lovely. It reminds me of Annika Rice

@Stuckonbabyname fair point. The trend for 1920's and 30's names could easily see them turn into the Julie, Lisa, Pauline and Susans of the 2020's

Annika

Edith is gorgeous. Annika is ok but I'm not mad about names like Monica, Erica or annika.

I like both. I grew up in Scandinavia and both names are known. Edith was my step grandmothers name. I personally prefer the Anika spelling but I'd not have a issue w 2 ns it's just a thing you ask once and you know.

I'm not keen on Edie personally. My grandma was known as Ditte (Dit. TUH) I think that's cute.

Is it a generational thing?

I would definitely put Edith in the exact same friend group as Enid, Edna, Maud and Gladys. I see the names as ultra old fashioned and not nice enough to bring back

I’m not a massive fan of Edith, but I don’t think I’d lump it in with other names listed - for me it has more of an aristocratic, literary vibe and it feels that bit more classic due to its very long pedigree (Anglo-Saxon origins and several medieval queens). Some of the others, like Gladys, were similarly popular 100 or so years ago, but were more faddy, flash in the pan names that suddenly rose from nowhere - the equivalent of something like Aria or Isla now.

I still much prefer Annika though!

I love Edith but there are a lot of them

so probably Anika.. but she may end up Annie

How about Erica?

There are loads of little Ediths around though, to the point of overuse. Not old lady ish anymore. Maude has come back a bit also, although to no where near the same extent.

@Stuckonbabyname
I choose Annika due to seven of nine

Love Erika too, perhaps more than our choices. But we have a close family member called Eric and it feels like their name. And not something we should copy.

If there are other suggestions, that would be useful. We could easily have gone with Erika, if it were not due to the name being 'taken'.

Edith is a beautiful name with a long (Anglo-Saxon) history.

Edith has grown on me. I don’t normally like names with “th” in them. Edie is cute too as a diminutive. I don’t think you’ll have an issue with lots of Ediths as it’s not that popular. If you’re really worried check popularity by area.

Annika is ok.

Annika reminds me of Pippi Longstocking's friend.

Edith will be Edie, and if you add the Ediths ,Edens and Edies , it's quite popular, and it's too close to Evie
Annika is OK, Anneli might be an alternative

Annika

At school it was always done surname alphabetical order so assume u don’t live in UK.
Annika - just reminds me of the song Japanese Boy
Edith - terrible old woman smoking with a head scarf type name, love Edie

Definitely Edith. It's a classic and lovely sounding name, the opposite of Annika, which is harsh and really not a nice looking name.

Out of those, Annika.
I also like Anya and Erica.

I do like the old lady name trend and wanted Violet for a girl myself but don't really like Edith. Can't explain why I guess it's just not very pretty to me.

I like Edith, we called our dd Meredith. That was 20 years ago. Not keen on Annika but love Annie.