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).

Holidays for retired people

Apart from the insurance, the definition of the word often has negative connotations, a long and boring, stretched out story. I’d avoid it for those reasons.

I love it but then I’m a massive The Bridge fan!

I think when the majority of comments are negative, that means it’s probably a no-go.

I’ve not heard Vaila before.

You’re asking the wrong place, OP - Mumsnet is so hidebound when it comes to names. I raised a slight eyebrow when first reading Saga but the minute you explained it’s a common name in Scandinavia I thought oh okay, and then came round to thinking it quite pretty.

Names so quickly just become a reference to the person you know, they almost stop being a word separate to that person. So go for it if you like it!

That said, I do love Sigrid too, and that is a more familiar name in the UK than Saga which most people would know as a word first.

I’ve never heard of this old people insurance / holiday company, for what it’s worth - I’m 40.

Also, as a previous poster said, kids just don’t get bullied for their names any more, it’s not a thing. Names are so varied and multicultural these days, and individuality is more prized than it used to be. Most kids want an unusual/interesting/cool name, something that makes them different. The only people who make rude comments about babies names are grandparents!!

Ah, I love the idea of a name from literally halfway between the two countries!

It’s up to you though! If you love it, use it. I think it’s lovely.

Are you based in the UK?
Which part of Scandinavia is it?

Saga and Asta are too closely linked with cruises/insurance and Asda in the UK.

Links for ideas:
Baby names - Statistics Denmark
The Most Popular Norwegian Baby Names (2024 Data!) - Life in Norway
Top 100 Most Popular Swedish Girls & Boys Names For Your Baby - Hej Sweden

Try the name out on people in your age group who have youngish children. They'll know what names are trending in nurseries and primary schools, and they won't associate names like Alma, Nora and Hilda with popular British TV characters from decades ago.

Try the name out on monoglot English-speakers. Many names don't sound great anglicised. Meja would get Medge-uh in the UK. I'd guess it was nearer Mey-ah or My-ah. (I might be wrong).
Something like Klara/Clara or Maja/Maya will have one spelling far more popular in one of the countries. Use the one most prevalent where you are based.

I knew a Saga at university, always thought it was different and fresh.

It goes well with Magnus and is a name you like, so go for it.

If randoms on a chat room don't like it, so what?

I have a daughter with a very popular name, which nobody here likes and yet she loves her name, we love it and in real life nobody ever mentions "oh no, not another XX" when she introduces herself.

@SingingSands , That's a valid point. I like both Saga and Asta.

I think asking opinions is fine, but if you ask for names that work internationally, you'll probably get answers like 'Anna, Sofia, Adam and Noah'.

Im mid 30s and never heard of saga travel or insurance 🤔 for me saga is more like, a series of events. I’d accept it as someone’s name though and wouldn’t really associate it with much else

Well, it will really suit her once she's 50 😄

Iris
sofie
Juni

None of our older relatives liked our name choice for DD1 as a baby. She has a traditional middle name. We chose it as it wasn’t that widely used at the time. I was a teacher and hadn’t taught a child with her name.
It’s a short, pretty name that became more popular. She’s an adult now, professional role, her name really suits her.
Go with what you love.

It’s not that Saga is too out there for the brits.

It’s just a massive insurance company and a long winded tale.

Sigrid isn’t terrible.

This was my first thought too op.

If we ignore the insurance company…

Saga indicates a long/boring/annoying event or story eg ‘there was a whole saga at my work today, Bob told me the whole saga that happened at the restaurant’. It has negative connotations.

As others have said, this is the name of a finance and travel company for older people that's been around for decade, or a long-winded tale. I know it's a Scandi name, but it doesn't really work well as a name as the brand name is so strong - like having 2 boys and calling them Mark and Spencer.

Lots of other really lovely names have been suggested.

Sara is nice, pronounce it like Saga. Job done.
Or Zara?

What about Stiorra, this name featured in The Last Kingdom and I thought how beautiful! I don’t know if it is an actual Scandi name though…

The Swedish detective in The Bridge was called Saga. I like it.

Saga makes me think of holidays for old people…

Love this!

OP you can't ask if a name works in the UK and then be annoyed when people say no - that is silly.

I like Saga and Sigrid. None of the kids their age will think of it being a name for older people's travel agent.

I’m not annoyed, I’ve agreed it probably won’t work and will have to think of an alternative.

Rayna
Anitra
Ellse or Else
Katla
Anette
Andrea
These are just some I thought were beautiful& would make a unique name in the UK. I once knew a Rayna and thought it was unusual and beautiful. Anette & Andrea are well known but lesser used names in the UK. Please tell us what you decide upon.

I think the word “saga” has a negative connotation (long-winded etc), so I wouldn’t use it, although I can see why you like it.

Is Thora any good?