Asa

plunderb · April 2012

Asa (AY-suh)

This is one of my favorite names for a boy, but I'm not sure if I want to fight to keep it on my list. DH is more of a Sam sort of guy and thinks Asa is too weird. I love the sound and feel, and the connection to one of my personal heroes, the biologist Asa Gray.

Considerations:

1. Too feminine-sounding?

2. Too matchy with Amalia?

3. Too Biblical? (we are neither Christian nor Jewish)

4. ASS-uh?

Your comments/opinions are appreciated. I have a thick skin.

aimee1899 · April 2012

I really like Asa and don't find it feminine at all. Have you seen Hugo yet? The main character in the film is played by a young actor named Asa.

alliejo725 · April 2012

1. Not at all.

2. Eh, maybe. I don't like that they both start with A, but they also don't start with the same sound, so it doesn't really bother me.

3. I was trying to remember if this was biblical. It has a distinctly Jewish vibe to me, but I don't know if I'm just associating it too much with Ira.

4. Nah. That's not phonetic at all. Unless you're thinking this is a potential teasing issue. Which....meh.

TofuMama7 · April 2012

I don't think it's too weird, however I think it's really Asian sounding, (I think because it sounds like Asia) so I wouldn't think it fit a kiddo who wasn't Asian.

JMay · April 2012

I had a female friend with that name growing up, so I was surprised to hear you say it would be for a boy. Very feminine, IMHO, Love Amalia though... (for a girl!)

strawberrytree · April 2012

1. Nope. Just because a name ends in -a or (-y) does not make it feminine.

2. Hmm, not sure. They both start and end with 'a', but different sounds at the beginning and a different number of syllables differentiate them a bit.

3. I'm not religious either and I don't associate this name with the Bible. Sounds more old-man than Biblical to me.

4. Even though it's Ay-suh and not Ass-uh, unfortunately I can see some people who are not familiar with this name pronouncing it this way.

I feel like this is exactly the kind of name that should go in a mn spot- it has personal meaning for you, but the potential for embarrassing mispronunciations. Would your DH go for it in the mn spot?

And although it might resemble the word Asia written out, it is not an Asian name or even close to one, so I disagree completely that you should only use it on an Asian child.

moonfaerie · April 2012

I like the name but it's a bit too matchy with Amalia for me. I had a friend named Asa once upon a time; everyone called him Ace.

MarisaKathleen · April 2012

My first impression was that it was a girl name pronounced As-a like light AS A feather.

Good luck!

emnoahmom · April 2012

I have an Asa and it took me a while to get DH on board. I don't find it feminine at all since I've always known it's a boy's name. I think about the Ass-uh when he's in school but you know, kids will make fun of anything. I love my little guys name:)

hmp1 · April 2012

It is a family name for me, but not one of my favorites.

I think of it as all boy but can easily see someone using it on a girl or thinking it is a girl's name on paper.

I'm not a fan of siblings with matching first letters.

Not a strong biblical connection for me.

Ass-uh is kind of a stretch but I guess it could happen. Kids will be kids.

alohamora · April 2012

I like it, and I know a construction worker named Asa. However, I probably wouldn't do it if I had a daughter named Amalia...they do sound a little matchy for my personal taste.

Sugar Doll · April 2012

Oh----I only know this as a girls' name, too funny! I know there was an actress named Asa Maynor, she was really pretty.

lizzybean · April 2012

Im not familiar with this name, and I did think it was a girls name. I also thought it was pronounced as-a. Good luck deciding!

MandyWes · April 2012

I went to elementary school with a boy named Asa. Never met anyone else with that name.

Heartcease · April 2012

I've always liked it, and I think of it as a boy's name. I'm going to say that the only place I've heard it was on One Life to Live. Asa Buchanan.

stahlop · April 2012

Heartcease:
I've always liked it, and I think of it as a boy's name. I'm going to say that the only place I've heard it was on One Life to Live. Asa Buchanan.

I was going to say this as well. Although, there was a book that I read as a teen than had a female character named Asa. I always thought it was weird for a girl.