Anya - love/like/hate?

SusieG85

DH suggested Anya and I like it but am not sure. I know it's more common in Europe (we are in US). DH's family has tradition of naming girls with variations of Ann for fn or mn. Anya is a version of Anna in Eastern Europe. Last name is 2 syllable, starts with M. Thoughts?

bbiutmcph

Are you Russian?

SusieG85

No I'm not - this is why I'm a little worried. But DH is Jewish with his family (3 generations back) coming from Eastern Europe. That's where the Ann tradition started... So not completely out of left field?

magsugar13

love it
it doesnt matter if you are russian or not

keri0426

I love the name, Anya.  

Bringmemylongswordho

Neutral?  I'd think it a bit odd without any sort of eastern European heritage though.

CaboBride2015

I'm indifferent though I would assume you were Russian. 

MrsN092714

I like it, I know 2 little girls named Anya and it suits them perfectly

Scarlett830

I love the name, but would probably give a small side-eye considering neither your husband not his parents are themselves from Eastern Europe, and that the heritage is three generations back. My grandfather's family can be traced back to Amsterdam but I wouldn't name my child Antje.

nurse714

Love Anya. 

penelope4612

I like it.

bbiutmcph

SusieG85 said:

No I'm not - this is why I'm a little worried. But DH is Jewish with his family (3 generations back) coming from Eastern Europe. That's where the Ann tradition started... So not completely out of left field?

Personally I wouldn't. I really like the name I just find names that are pretty heritage specific and not main stream used unless it's a direct tie, odd.

BumpasaurusRex

I like Anya but I wouldn't feel obligated to use it just to keep a tradition going.

Vivi20

It doesn't matter if you're Russian or not. It's a beautiful name. I LOVE LOVE this name, and if it weren't for our last name, this would be our daughter's name.

Edited for grammar

Paturkey

I love Anya. I've known two- one American and one German and it would never occur to me that it's meant to be an Eastern European name.

penelope4612

Yeah FWIW I did not know it was a Russian name.  The only girl that I know who is named Anya is actually Indian.

Edited to add: I actually DO know an Anya who is Russian also.  Just realized this.

kaswanson

I'm not immediately drawn to the name. But I don't hate it. I think I posted a question on this board a few years ago looking for suggestions of names with "Ann" in them. We were looking for one for our daughters middle name. We choose "Annalise." You might be able to read the other suggested names with the search feature. GL!

susykat77

I don't think it's out of left field. I like it and I like the tradition. 

MamaWren919

I like it. I don't think it's a problem that you aren't from Eastern Europe. People name their daughters Isabella and Sophia who aren't the least bit Italian.

HedgieLane02

I've loved it ever since I read a children's book called, "Waiting for Anya".
It's a beautiful name. 

FluffleSprout

I like it a lot. 

sagoon

I like it.  It would never occur to me to think about Eastern European heritage with it either.  I think it is pretty mainstream.

MandyBeeSLP

I like it and think it's pretty. I don't think it matters at all whether you are of the heritage of the name. 

magsugar13

are all maeves and kathleens irish? all giannas  Italian? all simones French?
 I think the whole nationality matching name thing  is a lousy argument against using certain names

Bringmemylongswordho

magsugar13 said:

are all maeves and kathleens irish? all giannas  Italian? all simones French?
 I think the whole nationality matching name thing  is a lousy argument against using certain names

I get what you're trying to say, but I've never met an non Italian Gianna. 

Some names cross cultural borders better then others. I personally don't think Anya crosses as easily as Kathleen or Simone. 

Some of this also comes down to regional differences. in north jersey,  a Gianna would be one of many compared central pa where she'd be one in a thousand.  

kimikimi

Love it! And love that it follows an enduring family tradition which means it is not out of left field at all. It is very common and meaningful to honor historical roots through names so though distant the Eastern European heritage is there. I don't see any reason for hesitation. 

magsugar13

Bringmemylongswordho said:

magsugar13 said:

are all maeves and kathleens irish? all giannas  Italian? all simones French?
 I think the whole nationality matching name thing  is a lousy argument against using certain names

I get what you're trying to say, but I've never met an non Italian Gianna. 

Some names cross cultural borders better then others. I personally don't think Anya crosses as easily as Kathleen or Simone. 

Some of this also comes down to regional differences. in north jersey,  a Gianna would be one of many compared central pa where she'd be one in a thousand.  

Maybe because it is less common. when Kathleen started to be used cross culturally, im sure some gave it a side eye. 
I think if anything people may assume she has some eastern european in their family, and most wouldnt know one way or the other.

SusieG85

Thanks so much for all the opinions! I think we will keep it on the list for now, or maybe middle name it. We still have several months so lots of time to consider and come up with more options too. Thanks!!

neverblushed

I have known 2 people named Anya in my life, and both were Russian, but I think this is a name that can cross easily into the American mainstream.  I like the family tradition of versions of Ann.  I would be comfortable with this in the mn spot.

virginiaunicorn11

Paturkey said:

I love Anya. I've known two- one American and one German and it would never occur to me that it's meant to be an Eastern European name.

+1

AndiPandi127

Love it. I knew a little girl named Anya - not Russian - who was (and is as an adult) awesome. Also, Anya on Buffy is my favorite.