At the moment I’m crushing on the name [name_f]Anja[/name_f]. I love the meaning (gracious, graceful), the sound, and this spelling, with a j instead of [name_f]Anya[/name_f] with a y.
My family are mostly Scandinavian so I like that connection with the j spelling, but there is one concern I have about actually using the name… [name_m]How[/name_m] many people are likely to pronounce the j? I know lots of people are aware of the name in general and therefore would know but is it likely to be a big issue? [name_m]Will[/name_m] [name_f]Anja[/name_f] have to go through life explaining that it’s ahn-ya not an-ja? (I’m in the UK)
Also, what are your general opinions on the name [name_f]Anja[/name_f]? Who do you picture when you think of an [name_f]Anja[/name_f]/[name_f]Anya[/name_f]?
Thank you!
You may need to correct people at first, but eventually they will learn. It’s definitely a known spelling of the name, so it shouldn’t be too difficult for people to understand. I love the idea of using the Scandinavian spelling to honour your family. 
Plus, there’s a celebrity that had a baby with the [name_f]Anja[/name_f] spelling so it should be quite familiar.
[name_f]Anya[/name_f]/[name_f]Anja[/name_f] is a lovely name – not too common, yet definitely heard of. And used throughout the world in many different forms (it being a form of [name_f]Anna[/name_f]). I love it! I picture a nice, smart, and very beautiful dark-haired girl (but it wouldn’t be weird for there to be a blonde [name_f]Anya[/name_f]/[name_f]Anja[/name_f] lol). It seems like an all-rounder name - it would age well but also be cute on a baby, too.
I think it’s a great choice and you should totally go for it!
I personally prefer the [name_f]Anya[/name_f] spelling, but I think either would work. You will have prn issues, but it depends o. [name_m]How[/name_m] much it bothers you.
I love [name_f]Anya[/name_f]/[name_f]Anja[/name_f]. I don’t think there would be much pronunciation issue as [name_f]Anja[/name_f] is fairly well known and I just don’t see people thinking the j is pronounced.
I think just seeing/hearing the name (and the [name_f]Anja[/name_f] spelling), I would picture a blonde baby, but I think it is a very versatile name that could go with many looks & personalities.
I don’t see this being much of an issue in Europe.
I would probably have to ask about the pronunciation (English speaker, not UK), but I’m less familiar with Scandinavian names. It’s a beautiful name and you have a cultural tie to the spelling so don’t let my ignorance stop you!