What would you assume a little girl named [name_f]Anya[/name_f] is: [name_f]Indian[/name_f], European, or other?
I fell in love with the name [name_f]Anya[/name_f] for an [name_f]Indian[/name_f] girl. Despite what Nameberry says, it is a Sanskrit name meaning “inexhaustible”, as well as being a Russian name meaning “grace”.
I know [name_f]Anya[/name_f] (and [name_f]Aanya[/name_f]) are very common for [name_f]Indian[/name_f] girls and I have actually never heard it on a European/white person.
Going back to [name_f]Anya[/name_f] vs. [name_f]Aanya[/name_f], which do you like better? I believe [name_f]Aanya[/name_f] is the way most Indians would spell it, because written in Hindi there are separate letters for a short A sound and a long AA sound (I don’t know if I’m even making any sense).
I have met both an [name_f]Indian[/name_f] [name_f]Aanya[/name_f] and a Ukrainian [name_f]Anya[/name_f]. I would not assume any nationality, it’s a beautiful name!
[name_f]Anya[/name_f] is adorable! It’s actually a Russian nickname for [name_f]Anna[/name_f] - I know two Russian Annas who go by [name_f]Anya[/name_f].
As for spelling, I’d pronounce [name_f]Anya[/name_f] and [name_f]Aanya[/name_f] differently.
It’s one of those wonderfully versatile names that can claim roots and meanings all over the world - it’s also an anglicisation of the Irish ”ine, which means “radiance”. Sweet and universal.
I’ve only met one [name_f]Anya[/name_f] in real life. She is biracial black and white, so that is my first association. Like @kew said [name_f]Anya[/name_f] is incredibly versatile and I can imagine it on someone of any race.
I prefer it for white girl, but I just found out it’s also an [name_f]Indian[/name_f] name. I would rather go with [name_f]Anya[/name_f], since this spelling is more streamlined and familiar.
I love it! [name_f]Anya[/name_f] is how I would intuitively spell it, but [name_f]Aanya[/name_f] looks beautiful too. Definitely a lovely, wearable name no matter what ethnicity the child is!
I think [name_f]Anya[/name_f] is pretty versatile so I’m not entirely sure. I know an [name_f]Ania[/name_f] and an [name_f]Anna[/name_f] [name_f]Maria[/name_f] who also goes by [name_f]Ania[/name_f], both of whom are Polish and since [name_f]Ania[/name_f] and [name_f]Anya[/name_f] are pronounced the same, on hearing alone I’d guess Polish. However, I don’t know any [name_f]Ana[/name_f]'s so I have no reference point so I don’t Hinksey I would guess. If I saw [name_f]Aanya[/name_f] I’d probably guess [name_f]Indian[/name_f].
I’ve known a Filipino [name_f]Anya[/name_f] and an Irish [name_f]Aine[/name_f]. Both are lovely, but I think for simplicity’s sake, go for [name_f]Anya[/name_f]. It’s a beautiful name!
