Anya

JennieMatt10

I don't know what we're having yet, but I've been stuck on the name Anya for a girl for the last couple weeks (pronounced Ohn-ya, not Anne-ya. Its russian I believe).  Thoughts on this name anyone?

Dh and I really haven't talked about names yet, he just saw it on my list and said something about "baby Anya" and poked my belliy, I couldn't tell if he was being serious or teasing me ...

ToBeMrsT

for some reason I don't really like it, but it's not terrible just not my style I guess.

evaazalea

With that pronunciation, she will be correcting people all the time, I never would have guessed that as the way it would be said. I like Ann-ya, and assumed thats how it was said.

plunderb

I like it. It's short and simple, and I I think that it is familiar enough that most people will pronounce it correctly. A few might pronounce it with a short a sound, but no one will be completely stumped by it.

LyndseylovesHugh

I have a friend name Anya (Ohn-ya) and honestly the first time I met her I totally expected a Russian accent to come out of her mouth :-)   Do you have any Russian in you?  Not that is really matters, but I do think it will make people think that your baby is of Russian descent.  But, besides expecting my friend to have an accent, I like the name.  It is cute, simple, I think most people would pronounce/spell it right, and it is not something you hear every day.

evaazalea

plunderb:

I like it. It's short and simple, and I I think that it is familiar enough that most people will pronounce it correctly. A few might pronounce it with a short a sound, but no one will be completely stumped by it.

lol ok so its just me...

Qmommy

I like that name... I have only seen it spelled the Gaelic way though... Anja

alliejo725

 

I love Anya. I think it's so sweet and simple. I think Russian names are lovely. Mischa, Irina, Sonya, Vera, and Sasha are some of my favorites.

Unfortunately, Austin Powers ruined Ivana for me...

Libby33

That's DD's name, so of course I love it

My family thought it was a weird name at first, but it's grown on them.

People do mispronounce it from time to time, but it's not usually Ann-ya ... they usually try to say Ah-nye-ah ... guess you can't win. I just tell them it rhymes with lasagna.

It is the most popular girl name in Russia, but we are Irish/German/Scandinavian, so that doesn't apply

 

n0legirl

plunderb:

I like it. It's short and simple, and I I think that it is familiar enough that most people will pronounce it correctly. A few might pronounce it with a short a sound, but no one will be completely stumped by it.

 

I agree

Ms Molly

I think it's pretty and I also think most people would know how to pronounce it.

strangebird

I love it. I've loved Anya for years, since I was in my early teens, in fact. I think it's the perfect blend of easily pronounced and spelled, while being both feminine and somewhat unique.

SouthMinnieAppleMama

I think it's adorable and not used very often. If I were having a little girl I would totally consider it! GL!

CarolynRundhaug

I love it! This is the name we have picked if we ever have a little girl! But we would spell it the Norwegian way Anja.?

braveangel2

TysMomPlusOne:

plunderb:

I like it. It's short and simple, and I I think that it is familiar enough that most people will pronounce it correctly. A few might pronounce it with a short a sound, but no one will be completely stumped by it.

lol ok so its just me...

No, I totally butchered the pronunciation too. I didn't know it was an option. It's okay TMPO.

KentuckyKate

Brutal honesty?  This name has always bothered me, unless the family is actually Russian, in which case I think it's fine.  Other than that, it makes me picture a child of a young, unwed, uneducated mother.  The barefoot and cigarette smoking type of pregnant chick.  Also, I knew an Anya in high school and the boys always made jokes like "I wanna get Anya" and "I wanna be Anya" and even "I wanna come Anya"...

Sorry, just my .02!

ericatc

DH and I rejected this name because it would be so easy for people to make fun of " I wanna get Anya" etc. Sad but true. Otherwise it's a beautiful name!

Allie30

I think the name Anya is beautiful but unless I'm totally misreading the OP's attempt at a pronunciation guide, I have never in my LIFE heard anyone pronounce the name starting with a long O sound (Ohn-ya like the word Oh or Apollo Ohno?)

No, it's awn-ya, like the word "on" or "yawn."

I've known a few Anyas, and they've all been cultured Manhattan types. I'm mystified by the PP depiction of them as uneducated hicks. 

There was also that great character Anya on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. 

from me!

clairej

I think it's nice.

MrsStreff

Thats one name my husband likes. His reason was he loves Enya. The only thing is that when they are older they can get teased On Ya...  But we have always loved it. Its pretty and uncommon.

DeputiesWife

It is Russian.

We pronounce it on-ya.

shootingstar0724

DH's Goddaugher is named Anastasia, but her nickname is Anya.

TheCricket

I think it is a beautiful name, always have.

*TOTAL GEEK FACTOID* Anya was the name of the goofy vengeance demon on Buffy. She was a riot and one of my favorite characters.