Saga

[92andyou]

Scandi-British family expecting a girl. Already have a Magnus.

Does Saga work in the UK? Very common across Scandinavia - I’ve never met one in the UK however.

If not - what other good names to go with our sons name that is easy for Brits and Scandis.

Two weeks to go and we are no clearer on a name…! Foolishly I told some suggestions to family and all raised eyebrows / made stupid comments (on both sides of the North Sea).

I had a thread of Malin versus Astrid and was firmly told Malin was a fish, and I also assumed it would be pronounced like the fish in the uk!

I also had on my list

Agnes
Norah
Sigrid (vetoed by husband)
Ada
Frida
Moa (also vetoed)

Even without the saga holidays and insurance connotations I don’t think it works. People don’t think of saga as epic stories handed down through generations and told by firelight - more like bureaucratic or dickhead based annoyance - “I’ve had a right saga with this debit card” - “Jenny was turning the whole thing into a saga”.

I like it

Very long winded...

I'm sure the OP is aware of this, seeing as it's a Norse word that we adopted from them! As in the Viking sagas.

OP - I think unfortunately the word Saga can have negative connotations in English, and rather than the true Scandinavian meaning is sometimes used to describe a long, drawn-out, difficult situation. "The whole thing was a bit of a saga". Plus as others have said, it is also the name of an over-50s insurance and travel company here.

However, having taught thousands of children from diverse backgrounds I will say that people very quickly get used to a name and it's association with the person. I've had many many children in my classes who have highly unusual, beautiful names (Anis, Petergaye, Fungui, Armani, Godswill, Hella, Isis, Pebbles, to name a few) to an English ear, but I've never known name-based bullying in 25 years in education. Children are so used to diverse names. Saga is a beautiful name, so I would go for it.

What did you go for in the end?

Moa would be difficult in English IMO…I assume that is why it was vetoed.

@92andyou There’s a brilliant singer named Sigrid, she’s from Norway, and very successful in recent years. So I don’t think people would see that name as too out there. Also, Ingrid? That’s beautiful, and royal which lots of Brits love. But still, if you love Saga I think you should go for it.

It’s a no from me. Ugly sound.

Ingrid is nice.

Saga is a dreadful, lying, over-priced holiday company.

Vivika
Inge
Elsa
Names of friends children with Scandanavian / British parents.
Saga doesn't really work here.

I gave my opinion on Saga, Freja too common and Astrid already within family so how about Tove ?

I like it, but then I love The Bridge and Saga is the main character and is great.
I find when I know people I don't associate them with say holiday companies and such like.
I think being called Alexa would now be much worse as ts a daily thing for many in their homes.

I doubt many children would associate Saga with the company and adults hopefully would not be teasing and would associate with the person.

Gunilla
(It's the only Scandinavian name I know. )

That is very interesting (in general) about name based bullying not really being a thing now.

Yes it’s probably adults who are more likely to take issue - as I said, nearly every name that has been mentioned (ordinary or less so) has had some sor of eye roll.

My parents and in-laws in both countries are very confused by the popularity of what they see as old person names and have been often bemused by the names of my friends children (even when top 10-20 names…!).

Lina?

It wasn't a silly response and it said what many of us were immediately thinking. You were unnecessary snippy and rude. You are asking for people's thoughts and are getting them.

Saga doesn't really work in the UK. For all the reasons given.

Silje is a Norwegian name meaning peaceful.

The closest English pronunciation might be Celia.

^^ or more Germanic - Silke

This is really common. The same name can be incredibly trendy or incredibly out of date in different countries.

I always do a bit of a double take when I see Agnes, but actually think it could be a good one because it's trendy in other countries and fits the same sort of "vintage chic" feel as names like Ethel and Edith in the UK.

My half Danish friend has a Caia, which I think is a pretty name

I like Ingrid and Astrid. Not so keen on Saga; enjoyed The Bridge but still think of the company when I hear it.

Sorry, it makes me think of the insurance company or a long running dispute.

Sorry, but I just don’t think Saga works in the UK. Sigrid is lovely, though.

I quite like it, but see you have decided against it now.
I also like Sigrid, and don't think it is out there at all.
As a new suggestion, what about Vaila - a popular name in Shetland, but not so well known elsewhere (I know Shetland isn't strictly speaking Scandanavian, but - literally - half way in between!)