Shruti

[springtrees]

Hi all,

Please could you share your opinions on the Hindu, Sanskrit name Shruti for a baby girl? This name has a significant meaning in our culture.

It’s pronounced Shrew-tea.

What sort of feeling/ image does it bring up? E.g does it sound girly, sporty, playful, artsy, serious etc?

Thanks!

I’m sure I have heard the name before. I don’t think of Shrew - that didn’t spring to my mind. It does remind me of something but I can’t quite remember (maybe it’s similar to another name?). No bad associations though. I think it has a nice ring to to.

Yes, I'd never heard the name before and now just think of that tragic character if I hear it.

I like it. It's the name of one of my favourite podcast hosts.

It is an easy name to pronounce. And the character was lovely.

Although I think she spells it Sruthi

Amazing 😻

I'd say sensible, strong and not frilly. As a PP says, Ruth or Jane would be an equivalent to me as a first language English speaker.

I haven’t heard the name before but would have pronounced it as you say.

I think it’s pretty. I have difficulties pronouncing the “Shr” sound, so you may find others do as well - not sure how common that is, though.

As someone with a foreign name that's not all that bad. People seem to act as if it's really awful to have to occasionally say your name a few times. My name is said wrongly by about a third of the people I know I just ignore it. I prefer that and been yet another Claire/Sarah/Helen .

I have not heard the name before but find it easy and obvious to pronounce and I really like it. It doesn't have any connotations for me, and does not make me think of shrews, but if it did that'd be fine as shrews are lovely little animals!

Mushroom

I like it. I know two and they are both lovely people.

Why is it? The OP asked for how people would "see" this name and I explained how I would "see" (hear) it, whilst aknowledging the fact that I am from a different linguistic and cultural background from the OP. If this little one is going to grow up in certain parts of the UK, she may meet a lot of people who, like me, are not familiar with Hindu names, so that might be relevant. OTOH it might not be relevant all, but how is the reader to know?

(There are a lot of Asian names in this neck of the woods but the predominant Asian culture around here is Muslim, so a different population linguistically on the whole).

I have no desire to cause cultural offence, so would like to understand why you think this is culturally insensitive?

I like it and would pronounce it correctly from sight.

Don’t be ridiculous @lankyhanky

I know a Shruti. She is Indian. Never did I once think of shrews or anything else.

A shruti box is an instrument.

I have not heard this name before, but I think it's sweet sounding.

I must admit though, as a non-Hindu American, when I saw the thread, I thought of the character Dwight Schrute from the American version of The Office.

Outside of the US though, I don't think that would be an association.

I like it. It sounds like a happy name.

It means 'sewage' in my native language. So, no, it doesn't give out good vibes for me. Sorry.

It does doesn’t it?

OP I had no problems with how to pronounce it, it’s a lovely name.

I really like this name. I too thought of the tv show character but I loved her character and the name straight away, so even though it had a sad ending, I wouldn’t think badly of it! Wouldn’t have thought of shrew at all and I wouldn’t consider shrew an insult anyway. I’m in my mid 30s and know the meaning but think of the animal!

Thank you all for positive & helpful responses! I have a few other names that we’re considering but Shruti is certainly a top contender on our shortlist of 3 names.

Best of luck with your decision! Naming babies is both lovely and difficult.
I do wonder about some people's thought processes...if someone asked about Adam would people say that Adam Kay would put them off? Or is it only names that are not standard anglophone?

Never heard the name before but I think it’s pretty.