Ayanna ☀

Girl Names
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Sunny, bright Ayanna one of those names I’ve loved for a long time, and recently she’s been on my mind again! :sunny:

To me, she’s a happy, always-positive girl with a smile that brights up a room. She’s sprinklers on sunny days, lots of laughter, lemonade, cartwheels on the beach, bright colors always… :woman_cartwheeling:t2: :ferris_wheel:

I’ve done some looking, and there is a few different meanings that come up for Ayanna.

The most common meaning I’ve found is that she’s an Amharic or Swahili name meaning ‘beautiful flower’. I think that is just, well, beautiful!! :hibiscus:

(If you have any other information on the meaning, I’d love to hear it!)

Because I rarely see her mentioned on NB and think she needs some more love, what are your thoughts on Ayanna?

What would you name her siblings, and what middles would you pair with Ayanna?

What would you nickname her (if anything!), and do you prefer the Ayana spelling?

Finally, what imagery does she give you?

Thank you for reading me gushing over this name, guys, and I’m super excited to hear you’re thoughts! :yellow_heart:

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[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] is bright, distinctive and pretty! It does feel very sunny and cheerful and it has the both the qualities of more contemporary names and more classic ones!

Out of interest, I’ve seen a few pronunciations of it - which is your preference?

Some siblings:

[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] and…

[name_f]Vienna[/name_f]
[name_f]Thessaly[/name_f]
[name_f]Ginevra[/name_f]
[name_f]Leonora[/name_f]
[name_f]Thalassa[/name_f]
[name_f]Tierra[/name_f]
[name_f]Calliope[/name_f]
[name_f]Acacia[/name_f]
[name_f]Cassia[/name_f]
[name_f]Isolda[/name_f]
[name_f]Coralie[/name_f]
[name_f]Nadira[/name_f]
[name_u]Indigo[/name_u]
[name_f]Olympia[/name_f]
[name_u]Solstice[/name_u]
[name_m]Bode[/name_m]
[name_u]Everett[/name_u]
Rhiordan
[name_m]Caedmon[/name_m]
[name_u]Oberon[/name_u]
[name_u]Rumi[/name_u]
[name_m]Ferdinand[/name_m]
[name_m]Cosmo[/name_m]
[name_m]Ossian[/name_m]

Middle names:

[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_f]Lois[/name_f]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_f]Phoebe[/name_f]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_f]Lucille[/name_f]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_u]Glow[/name_u]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_u]Florence[/name_u]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_f]Tesni[/name_f]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_u]Sol[/name_u]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_f]Sunshine[/name_f]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_f]Carys[/name_f]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_f]Sophie[/name_f]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_u]Willow[/name_u]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_f]Josette[/name_f]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_u]Fable[/name_u]

For a nickname, I’d probably use [name_f]Aya[/name_f]!

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I really like [name_f]Ayanna[/name_f]! I think it’s a sunny and warm name, and I can picture it on any age. I prefer the [name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] spelling and I don’t think I’d use a nickname, though maybe I’d say [name_f]Yana[/name_f] occasionally.

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TBH I think this name has a too modern feel to it for me. Too much like [name_f]Ariana[/name_f], [name_f]Evanna[/name_f], [name_u]Arielle[/name_u], etc. There’s just no spark or individuality to it for me.

[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] is definitely the better spelling.

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@Greyblue Thank you, Grace! I love your suggestions! Especially Acacia, Leonora, Indigo, Solstice and Rumi. And how gorgeous is Ayanna Glow?! Also, I pronounce it ‘AY-anna’! :blush:

@EagleEyes Yana is very sweet! Thank you :heart:

@cms1512 I can see why you would get that feel, it has some similar sounds to popular choices. Thanks for your reply!

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[name_f]My[/name_f] thoughts

I actually really love seeing berries discuss names outside the usual whelm of usual berry tastes which I feel [name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] definitely does. I think she’s a happy name that feels bright and packed with tons of sunshine. I feel she does have a modern feel maybe a trendier feel but I think this is partly because a lot of names of Swahili/Arabic/Amharic origins have not had the same exposure as a [name_m]German[/name_m] name for example.

I would probably name [name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] brothers [name_m]Ignacio[/name_m], [name_m]Boaz[/name_m], [name_u]Solstice[/name_u], [name_u]Emrys[/name_u], [name_u]Ziggy[/name_u], [name_u]Shiloh[/name_u], [name_u]Pax[/name_u] and [name_u]Cato[/name_u]. For girls I would probably go [name_f]Zahara[/name_f], [name_f]Nala[/name_f], [name_f]Maya[/name_f], [name_f]Esmeray[/name_f] and [name_f]Leilani[/name_f].

Middle names for [name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] could be

[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_f]Thandie[/name_f]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_u]Florence[/name_u]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_u]Winslow[/name_u]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_u]Wren[/name_u]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_f]Daisy[/name_f]

[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] is my preferred spelling and I think [name_f]Aya[/name_f] would be my chosen nickname.

For me I picture a little girl with a permanent smile on her face, her hair worn in braids with colourful beads at the ends of them and always wearing bright colours which make her dark skin glow even more than it already does. I picture sunshine, summer days, beaches, ice cream running down making little hands sticky and laughter. Honestly for some reason [name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] really conjures up imagery of my close friend’s daughter her mum (my gorgeous friend) is of [name_u]Sierra[/name_u] [name_u]Leone[/name_u] descent and her dad is of Nigerian descent their daughter is 4 years old she is such a happy sassy little girl and [name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] would suit her so much! I’m actually suggesting this as she’s been talking about TTC soon!

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Oh Tori, I loved reading this!! Your description… oh my, I just fell even more in love with this name!

this made me beam :pleading_face: my dear childhood friend, Ayanna, had her hair exactly like this when I met her, and I remember it was the first thing little me noticed about her, and I love love it!! :smiling_face_with_three_hearts: :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

exactly my thoughts! I do love some of the usual ‘berry favourites’ but I love when I see people talking about names with different origins and from different cultures than the usual.

Also, your sibling and middles suggestions are amazing, thank you! I’m falling in love with Zahara after seeing this!!

So so many thank yous for your response, Tori. So glad to see some love for such a happy name! :two_hearts:

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:cupid: [name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] is lovely! It makes me happy to see berries shine light on names that are outsides of the usual “berry circle”! Your description is perfect, and so spot on to how I see her :heart_eyes:

:cupid: I would name Ayanna’s sibling something equally fresh, friendly and soft. Nothing too classic but nothing too modern
[name_u]Ruby[/name_u], [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f], [name_f]Isolde[/name_f], [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f], [name_f]Willa[/name_f], [name_u]Ellery[/name_u]
[name_u]Shiloh[/name_u], [name_u]Jonah[/name_u], [name_u]Bodhi[/name_u], [name_u]Lennon[/name_u], [name_m]Jaxton[/name_m]

for middles, I’d go with something surprising and sweet!
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_f]Shine[/name_f], [name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_f]Lainey[/name_f], [name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_u]June[/name_u], [name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_f]Summer[/name_f], [name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_f]Bloom[/name_f], [name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_u]Love[/name_u]

:cupid: I might nickname an [name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] “Aya”, “Anna” or “Ana”. I prefer the [name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] spelling, it looks more complete!

:cupid: [name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] is disney princess dresses and jelly sandals, pigtails and bubble braids, sidewalk chalk artwork and drippy popsicles,

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Your welcome!!!

So sweet that you think of your childhood friend and it’s a lovely way to honour her :two_hearts:

Like you I love a lot of the berry favourites they are so lovely however I have to say your post was really refreshing to see a name from a different culture not really discussed being mentioned so thank you :white_heart:

[name_f]Zahara[/name_f] is gorgeous but taken by my friend and her partner when their time comes!

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Ahhh Evy thank you, I love your suggestions! I’m especially drawn to Ayanna Shine and Ayanna Love! What sweet virtues :pleading_face: :two_hearts:

the memories this brings back :pleading_face: :pleading_face: you made me love Ayanna even more with all of your literally adorable description!

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Never see [name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] get any love on here :black_heart: it’s not a super uncommon name where I am, I’ve met one and have known of others, it’s super popular in the [name_m]Black[/name_m] community here, so I think she’s very versatile in general even if I have my own imagery of the name

what are your thoughts on [name_f]Ayanna[/name_f]? - I think she’s just gorgeous, a very elegant, down to earth, serious but lively name. [name_u]Super[/name_u] pretty

What would you name her siblings, and what middles would you pair with [name_f]Ayanna[/name_f]?

for siblings -
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] & [name_u]Imani[/name_u] (I think is gorgeous for both g/b and g/g)
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] & [name_f]Kezia[/name_f]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] & [name_u]Cleo[/name_u]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] & [name_u]Tavi[/name_u] (boy or girl)
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] & [name_m]Tavon[/name_m] (b)
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] & [name_m]Terran[/name_m] (b)
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] & [name_f]Lua[/name_f]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] & [name_m]Gage[/name_m] (b)
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] & [name_f]Zula[/name_f]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] & [name_u]Saint[/name_u] (b)

Middles~
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_f]Charm[/name_f] (also like [name_f]Charm[/name_f] as a sibling)
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_u]Kai[/name_u]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_f]Adele[/name_f]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_u]Camille[/name_u]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_u]Raine[/name_u]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_u]Gale[/name_u]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_f]Neve[/name_f]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_u]Jade[/name_u]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_u]Dove[/name_u]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_u]Saint[/name_u] (put this as a sibling too)
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_u]Jude[/name_u]

What would you nickname her (if anything!), and do you prefer the [name_f]Ayana[/name_f] spelling? - [name_f]Aya[/name_f], [name_f]Anya[/name_f], Yaya, [name_f]Ani[/name_f]. I honestly really like both spelling but I get different vibes from them

Finally, what imagery does she give you? - A very serious, elegant woman, almost femme fatale like, but very smiley and kind. Roses and sunflowers, stilettos and elegant dresses, trips to famous cities, playing with little kids on the sidewalk, luxurious cafes and restaurants

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isn’t it just :face_holding_back_tears:

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I didn’t have a particular imagery of the name [name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] until I read Tori’s and THAT is exactly how I would imagine a little [name_f]Ayanna[/name_f]. I imagine her to be very bubbly, jumping of joy everywhere and smiling ear to ear at everyone around her. Definitely a little ray of sunshine!

For siblings:
[name_f]Safiya[/name_f], [name_f]Rajani[/name_f], [name_f]Daria[/name_f], [name_u]Zuri[/name_u] or [name_f]Zura[/name_f], [name_u]Cleo[/name_u], [name_f]Gaia[/name_f]
[name_u]Omari[/name_u], [name_u]Palmer[/name_u], [name_m]Ulysses[/name_m], [name_m]Odion[/name_m], [name_u]Chase[/name_u], [name_m]Matthias[/name_m]

With middles meaning “sun”, “light”, “bright”:
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_u]Bliss[/name_u]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_f]Soleil[/name_f]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_u]Sol[/name_u]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_f]Daffodil[/name_f]
[name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] [name_f]Claire[/name_f]

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ahh i love this!! your suggestions are spot on - ayanna charm, ayanna jade, ayanna + kezia and ayanna + imani have really caught my heart. :two_hearts:

also, i love love your description. i have a habit of thinking of my names as little kids (if that makes sense :rofl:) so its very lovely to read your imagery, its so accurate and amazing! :heart_eyes:

thank you!!

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thank you so much, m!

i love your ideas, especially zuri, zura and ayanna soleil ( :heart_eyes:)! :two_hearts:

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I was just reading this thread again and…

I felt I had to respond to this bit! It’s wonderful to know that you’ll be suggesting Ayanna - it seems utterly perfect for them. If you don’t mind me asking, what is their daughters name? Out of curiosity and in need of inspiration! :laughing: :heart:

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I would really do a lot of research on this name, because I think there are lots of fake meanings around for this one. Ask someone from the culture it’s supposed to be from.

To me it sounds like a modern American invention, at least spelled [name_f]Ayanna[/name_f].

I do like it and I think it’s pretty, but if you care about the meaning I would double and triple check it.

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Is it pronounced eye-anna or ay-anna?

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Ahhh hope their daughter’s name provides inspiration! So their daughter has a Nigerian name than honours her father she is T3mi T@o with her middle name being [name_f]Star[/name_f] (pronounced TEM eee TAYO)

I actually spoke about [name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] with another friend (she’s not TTC currently undecided if she’s part of the one and done gang or not) anyways her daughter is L3l@ni M@rin@ I think L3l@ni and [name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] would be beautiful.

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@may.blossom definitely!! The information online is very blurry, and while I’m just admiring the name for now, if do ever have the blessing of having a daughter and am considering [name_f]Ayanna[/name_f], the least I could do is consult someone from the culture.

@Lula-Rose the [name_f]Ayanna[/name_f] I know pronounces it ay-anna, but the former seems to be a more popular pronounciation!