Kanaka or Priya?

[Rinku89]

We are not sure which name to pick between these 2. We think Priya is maybe a bit popular and did think about Priyanka as it's a bit similar to both but for some irrational reason, the "yanka" part is making me think of "wanker". Ridiculous we think Kanaka is really pretty and easy to spell, while not being particularly popular/well known. Thank you

I've always liked Priya. It's very pretty. I like it better than Priyanka and Kanaka.

Priya is such a pretty name. Kanaka looks or sounds a bit like knackered to me- or Canada-? Possibly just my response but I think Priya is lovely. Priyanka is pretty too, but I see what you mean about possible mean nicknames or teasing. Such a shame and happens for so many names. You could just be brave and go for it if you really love it. Mean Nick names can be made up for anything really.

Ooh I really like Kanaka - never heard it before.

Is Kanaka
KAN-a-ka
Or
Kan-A-ka?

I don't think there's an issue with Priyanka

Priya - it’s more well known and doesn’t make me think of pancakes (I’m unsure why but Kanaka does) I’m very bizarre.

I love Priya. I have not heard Kanaka before but it sounds musical.

How do you pronounce Kanaka? ka-na-ka or ka-nah-ka? Where is the stress?

We do feel Priya gets more positive reactions, especially in England as it's more well known.

Kanaka is a bit like with Hannah sounds so Kannahka if that makes any sense? And the ka on the end being kuh

I grew up in Hawaii so Kanaka is a major no no for me. But I guess if you don’t have any connections with the South Pacific …

https://www.ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=Kanaka

What does Kanaka mean? I have only ever heard of the name Kanak for boys.

I don’t like either name, sorry.

Immediately thought 'knacker' when I saw Kanaka. Sorry.

Priya is beautiful though.

@Hapagirl48 there is a sea shanty called "John Kanaka" which includes a chorus in Hawaiian! We sing it in the car

https://maritime.org/chanteys/john-kanaka.php

I much prefer Priya. Kanaka sounds like knackered (or is it pronounced Kan-ARka - I don't like that uncertainty either ), and looks like canker, another word for a sore.

My favourite Indian girls names are:

Ashni
Meera
Chandni
Sita
Nimisha
Anisha

Priya is fine but I think a bit overused

I actually have a pile of cookbooks on the side staring at me and the names of the authors are all beautiful:
Rukmini
Ravinder
Aarya
Manju

I think Priya is really lovely.

So it rhymes with Anneka?

Priya is a lovely name although very popular. It appeals more than Kanaka though which to me has a kind of a rat-a-tat sound, if that makes any sense.

I know a Priya with sister called Padma and Uma both of which I think are lovely.

Some of those names are region specific though. Ravinder is a Punjabi unisex name (as many Punjabi names are). If you were Bengali/Tamil or Gujrati it would be unusual and slightly odd to call your kid that.
Like calling a very Scottish kid being called Jean Pierre.

Priya or Priyanka (pronounced PREE-Yunk-UH not PREE-Yanka) is a more universal Indian name across several linguistic communities. I used to pester my parents about why they didn’t name me that for a long time. Then I had 4 Priyankas in my class and the novelty wore off.

Chandni is lovely but a bit old fashioned. Like naming an English girl Margaret in 2023. Classic name but not common any more.

Rukmini is lovely but people will keep saying ‘Ruck-mini instead of ROOK-mini’
Leela is a lovely name.
I really love the name Shahana (pronounced Shah-ah-na).
Meera and Meena are also nice names.
I know a couple of girls called Anya.
Preeti is another well used name.
I know an Ishika and a Mohini as well.
For a daughter DH and I considered Rishika, Ishila and Sharika.

A lot of these names have really evocative Sanskrit meanings so that might be worth thinking about.

Priya is beautiful.

Side note: our feelings about names usually stem from our interactions with people with those names, conscious or otherwise. Priya gives me warm and fuzzy, I smile whenever I think of her so I’m probably a bit biased!

If you do not already know the name and Google Kanaka meaning you get the reference Hawaiian word that can be offensive. The Indian name will come from a search of Kanaka name.

Just from that I’d go with Priya.

Shahana is beautiful and was on my list for DD. OP am guessing you are from the South?

On our list of names for DD were
Ahana
Aadya
Dyuti
Keerthana
Kaavya
Maitreyi
Mayukha
Mahati
Laasya
Laya
Sanjana
Spandana
Satya
Shreya
Soumya
Veda

As usual on MN people wanting to call their kids stupid things. Rhyming with "Hanukkah" no less 🙄

Priya is beautiful. I don't know any, and it makes me think of the sassy smart sister from Big Bang Theory.

The offensive meaning of the other name would worry me I'd stay away.