What do you think when you hear these baby names?

[Ohcordelia]

Sami

Rayan

Aydin

Nura

Kamila

Aayah

Amila

Deen

do any of them jump out to you as ick, chavvy or younique?

yes they are all Muslims names. I’m Muslim. They are names on my baby name list, we want Muslim names that have nice meanings but aren’t too too common in our community and not too alienating for life in the Uk. The spellings are the closest transliteration to the Arabic

You know a female Muslim rayan?

You know a female Muslim rayan?

Yes. I do. She’ll be about 8

Never heard of it used for girls, in fact I’m pretty sure it’s a boys name (Arabic as a language is quite strict with its male female and neutral names) heard Raya or Raiya, but it’s 2023 after all,

I think it’s either Raayan or Rayyan but can’t quite remember. But def a girl and definitely Muslim

Oh I believe you, just surprised.

Rayan - Reminds me of Ryan. Not sure if it's pronounced that way? If the boy was white I would think it was a kreative spelling for Ryan. But if the boy was actually Muslim I don't think I would think that

@Bananacup - you do realise you can be Muslim and white, don't you ?

As a secondary teacher I have taught/teach many Rayans (with a variety of spellings) but I would say it’s really quite a popular Muslim boy’s name (certainly where I live), if that bothers you.

Yes of course @UsingChangeofName
I could have been more wordy and precise
I think you know what I meant though?
Can explain in more detail if you didn't

It is increasingly popular isn’t it, we don’t live in an especially Muslim area though but it sort of bothers me

I like Sami.

Deen reminds me of Dean which I think is a chavvy name.

It’s very popular here. I don’t mind it though. For what it’s worth, my favourites from over the years are Imaniya, Ilyas and Zahrah 😊

Aydin and Deen sound like Aidan and Dean which are pretty chavvy. The ‘a’ names for girls will just blur into a sea of similar sounding ‘a’ names. Nura is beautiful.

I like Sami and Nura!

Not keen on Deen, because it sounds like Dean, or Kamila because it makes me think of the Queen, but I'm sure I'd get over both these issues if I met a baby named either.

I can see what you’re saying on Dean being a bit chavvy, ‘deaaannooo’ from gavin and Stacy comes to mind

but Aidan is chavvy?

Sami and Rayan are both lovely. I know of quite a few Hindu Rayans as well as Muslim (all boys though)

I like Aayah but spelt Aya.

I love Nura. I teach a young adult Nura (pronounced Noo-rah) and she is absolutely delightful - a really bright student and exceptionally pretty too.

The only little Aidan I know comes from a very well to do family. One parent is French, the other posh English.

Aidan isn't chavvy. It's an Irish name. There was a Saint Aidan - there are schools, churches, a Durham uni college etc. named after him.

I'm assuming the Muslim name Aydin is completely unrelated to Aidan, but if the pronunciation is similar, neither is chavvy!

No, it’s the association with Dean! Which is up there with Darren, Kevin and Gareth, in terms of naffness.

Yeah it’s completely unrelated, Aidan is also a Muslim name but pronounced differently again the Ai is a lot harsher ( like a more throaty sound) but Aydin is similar to the Irish Aidan but the ending is more like din rather than the dun sound of Aidan

I love Aayah, exactly how you pronounce it. It's very nice. I like all of the names on your list.

My friend's little girl is Aiza which I also really love. Such a pretty name, and I love its meaning, too.

I think all of them are perfectly nice, but if you choose Rayan or Deen they'll forever be spelled/misheard as Ryan and Dean by people.

Aayah is my fave

I quite like aiza too and Aida (but I know people would pronounce it Ada rather than ai’ida.

i also like na’ima or Naïma but I can’t see myself using them as I think people would trip up over them

Position on Haniya/ Hania?

i love it and it has a beautiful meaning but does it sound naff/ chavvy?