Roxana?

[RoxanaRoxana]

What do you think of Roxana? If it matters, baby DD will have English and Arab heritage.

And next question…. Is it usable if I’m not a fan of Roxy as a Nn?

There’s no way you could avoid the nickname Roxy, so I wouldn’t use this. Sorry!

Folk will pronounce it either rox-anna or rox-ahna and you will need to specify which you prefer. You may get some misspellings as Roxanna due to people’s familiarity with the related name Roxanne.

All of this is academic however if you don’t like the most obvious and common diminutive. Absolutely do not use it if you can’t live with Roxy.

I like it. I also like Roxelana.

People will create nicknames by themselves. You could always use her full name or create your own one.

Alexander the Great's wife? I love it. Was at school with one who used the long A sound, Rox-ah-na, which I prefer. Funnily enough it was never shortened.

I like it but think she will get Roxy

Thanks all - I think you’ve confirmed we can’t use it as I really don’t like Roxy. I suspect she’ll end up with it as a middle name.

Back to the drawing board… it’s a shame as we’ve got quite strict criteria and this fitted all of it!

(I was thinking of it with a long Ah, and yes, like Alexander the Great!)

An old friend of mine was half English, half Pakistani her name was Sarina I always thought that was a beautiful name and suited both cultures.
I also like Iqra for a girl although this is more Arabic i would think.
There's Sara, Alisha, Ayesha, Noor is nice Arabic name or you could go Nora to suit both?
I quite like Roxana though, Roxy wouldn't bother me

So pretty: What about nickname Zana? Or does she have to have a nickname? I know many kids with long ish names and no nickname eg a Tallulah. I love it, doesn't it mean 'little star' or similar. I also like Roxy though so not much help.

Yes the Roxanna's I know are always called Roxy even thought the mum's didn't want it. Sarina or Zarina is lovely I think if you like that and no obvious nn.

The only nn I heard for Sarina once was rina (pronounced Ree-na) and that was barely used to be honest.
Although I went to school with a girl called Reena and I also loved this name anyway

Zana is actually lovely in itself. The more I say it the more I love it !
Could even have Xana

Not keen. Reminds me of an 80s 'dancer'

Ha, DD1 is Zarine so these suggestions are along the right lines!

As well as working in Arabic and English, I want it to be not to ‘frilly’ (lots of possibilities are vowel-heavy, which I don’t love), and not used by one of her millions of cousins 🤦‍♀️

I know a Roxana who gets shortened to Rocky. Not frilly.

My friends daughter is called Sumaiya I also think this is beautiful how about Samia?

Stripper

What about Farah/Farrah?

I have a friend who is Roxana, and she’s known as Rox. We considered it for DD2’s middle name but went with Ruxandra in the end.

What about Hurrem. Means joy in Perisan and was another name used by Roxelana

I'm with you OP. I also love the name Roxana but didn't use it because of the nickname Roxy. The name Ruby has really grown on me lately. It would work in both cultures.

I think it’d be pretty tricky to avoid nn Roxy! Roxana is beautiful though.

Some suggestions that may fit what you’re looking for :) -

Zarah/Zara
Nasrin
Amara
Mina
Nyla
Samara
Amani
Jamila
Karima
Leila
Neha
Yazmin
Sara

Zarine and ..
Java
Ayesha
Anoush
Taara
Arabella
Amani

I'm not a fan of Roxana.

How about Rehana?

My name is roxanne I have never been called roxy. I like my name. Roxana would have a similar situation to me I imagine.

Hey, my name is Roxana and I’m constantly asking people not to call my Roxy! I’m my previous job some staff called me Zana
My daughter is called Zennah Sabine. Everyone thinks it’s a beautiful name, especially as we shorten it to Zen, which has a beautiful meaning in itself.