Anya v. Anja

ahalfaworldaway

We have agreed on this name since way before we were even really thinking about having kids. Though I'm not yet 100% committed, it's probably going to be the name we go with. I'm just not sure about the spelling. The husband is hooked on Anja, but I'm mildly concerned with the spelling, even though it's technically legit. His rationale is that his last name is German, so the -ja will go with it. He has a "regular" first name that is slightly misspelled (think Ric instead of Rick) and, though he's complained about it before, he swears it's not that big a deal. I'm not that concerned about people misspelling it (I have one of the most popular names of the 80's, spelled the traditional way, and people still managed to misspell it all the time), but I'm kind of leery of having people mispronounce it. I feel like it might be common enough for people to get that it's pronounced -ya instead of -ja, but I may be overestimating the intelligence of the general public. What do you ladies think?

Worcbride

I like Anya;  I have a friend with that name and personally I think it just looks better than Anja.  I grew up with a Taunja and she was forever helping people not just spell her name but pronounce it--they would mess up the spelling and the pronunciation.

doremi29

Anya.  I don't think I'd mispronounce it but I think it looks prettier with the y instead of j.

Aligator28

I like Anja.  I grew up with a girl who spelled it Anja, I don't recall too many people mispronouncing it.

CTA7

I think most people would pronounce Anja correctly (although I'm sure there would be a handful who didn't).  Both spellings are nice. 

aascaha

Anya

Zimger

I like Anya. Although I really have nothing against the other spelling and usually prefer the use of the j (think Katja). For some reason Anya looks better in this case.

mummalove

I like your DH's thought of going with his German heritage. I think that is a better rationale to use when naming your children rather than what "looks" prettier. Some people may mispronounce it but the majority of people should get it.

kelnyc

I actually did think AHN ja when I saw the spelling with the J, but that may be because I have a great-great aunt Andzia that is pronounced that way. I'm a fan of keeping things easy for people so my vote is for Anya.

FreyaWin2382

I like the spelling of "Anya" better.

austenreader85

I prefer Anja.

queenbone

I like Anja.  I know a 4yr old Anja.  And I went to HS with a Tija.  I think it is common enough and if not, people will only have to be corrected once.

jupiterthecat

I like Anja. One of the names on my girl list was Maja (instead of Maya). But it depends on your heritage. I liked Maja because I felt it would connect my daughter more to her Swedish heritage. If your/ your husband's German heritage isn't as important to you, then Anya would certainly be simpler. 

esthergreenwood14

Team Anja

paceyjoe

I'm that part of the population that you overestimate the intelligence of. I would pronounce that on-ja. So I would definitely pick Anya. Ehh..but now I just realized that it sounds like "on-ya" like...can I get on-ya? NMS.

NewYorker100

I prefer Anya.

KarmB

Anja just looks "correct" to me and theres something more "romantic" about that spelling imo