Ethnic names

We are from Russia, however we live in the UK temporarily. We should be back before our daughter is born, however if we aren’t I worry her name would be hard to pronounce. A neighbour when I asked her yesterday said that these names are too hard to pronounce for our area, and that I should choose something less ethnic and more English. She recommended names but we would really like a Russian name for our daughter. People struggle with our sons names in our area, and our names, so I am not surprised.

Aleksandra
Irina
Maria
Tatiana
Yekaterina

We had Xenia on our list, as well as Anastasia but people from the UK where we live said it would be too hard to pronounce.

Irina is my top name, however my husband does not mind. Her siblings are Vladimir, Nikolai, Anton, Mikhail and Kirill.

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I think you should pick a name you love. If you stay in the UK long term, she can have a nickname that’s easier to pronounce.

I live in [name_f]Canada[/name_f], and I have met an [name_f]Aleksandra[/name_f], [name_f]Irina[/name_f], [name_f]Maria[/name_f] and Tatiana’s before, and had no trouble pronouncing those names. [name_f]Yekaterina[/name_f] - I don’t know how to pronounce, but I’m sure after being told once it would be fine. It may not be the perfect pronounciation, but it isn’t a reason not to use the names you love.

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You’ve got a hard situation on your hands. From your above list, I’d recommend [name_f]Aleksandra[/name_f], [name_f]Irina[/name_f], [name_f]Maria[/name_f], and [name_f]Tatiana[/name_f], although I’m not from the UK, so I wouldn’t be knowledgeable on the compatibility of those names with that culture. But coming from an American, those options wouldn’t be too unusual. I’m even friends with a [name_f]Tatiana[/name_f] myself.

If you’re so concerned with the pronunciation of your daughter’s name, I recommend giving her a name that’s found in both [name_f]English[/name_f] and Russian, like [name_f]Irina[/name_f] and [name_f]Maria[/name_f]. But if those aren’t your style, here’s some similar names:
-Anna.
-Alina.
-Angelina.
-Bella.
-Camilla.
-Diana.
-Erika.
-Elena.
-Emma.
-Evelina.
-Eleanora.
-Izabella.
-Julia.
-Katrina.
-Kristina.
-Karolina.
-Lora.
-Laura.
-Liana.
-Liliana.
-Marina.
-Marianna.
-Nina.
-Regina.
-Stella.
-Sabrina.
-Susanna.
-Tamara.
-Valeria.
-Violetta.
-Viktoria/Victoria.
-Veronika.
-Valentina.
-Zara.

These are all the options I could find that fit both in an English-speaking and a Russian-speaking world, as well as names I thought complimented that of your sons’ names. Although several of these names lean heavily towards either [name_f]English[/name_f] or Russian, I hope at least one of these options sufficiently meets your requirements. Best of luck!

Name your kid what you want. If it’s hard for them to pronounce it’s their problem. [name_f]My[/name_f] family are Slavic in the west and haven’t had much issues, usually there is a western/english pronunciation people will use and at home use the proper way. Especially if you’re going back to [name_f]Russia[/name_f], it’s no issue

[name_f]Love[/name_f] [name_f]Irina[/name_f]. I’d go with the name you love. It sounds like any annoyance with pronunciation issues would be very temporary if at all, and she has the whole rest of her life. A Russian name is important to you so so don’t think you should compromise based on a situation that may never happen or will be so very shortlived in the scheme of things.

I’m an American and the pronunciation of the names on your list seem very clear to me… They aren’t obscure or super rare names, they’re actually quite common and cross-cultural. For that reason, there’s really no excuse for people to mispronounce them, other than they choose to. I first would stop letting your neighbors have input. And second, choose a name you love regardless of the pronunciation concerns. Your daughter will be happier in the long run with a name that is meaningful to you and your family.

none of the names on your list seem hard to pronounce to me! I live in the US, and the only name that I might have trouble pronouncing is [name_f]Yekaterina[/name_f]. my parents are from a foreign country, and they gave me a name that is virtually unheard of and unpronounceable in [name_f]English[/name_f], but they liked it! if you like a name, then you should use it! :heart:

I understand you! With any luck we will be home before she is born. I did not understand how they were hard to pronounce either, but [name_m]Anton[/name_m] and usually [name_m]Nikolai[/name_m] are the only names people around me pronounce correctly. For everyone else in my family people come up with nicknames, even though we have tried to teach them how to say our names. Maybe my accent is hard to understand? I do not understand this.

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Hello again!
Like I said in a previous post, I believe that you should select the name that you deeply love and admire for your daughter. Go with your heart! That’s the only way you will not regret your decision later.

I don’t like in the UK or even in an English-speaking country. However, I have a good friend named Anast@siya. Her name is beautiful! At first, people may have some difficulties with the spelling but they get used to it. I also knew a [name_m]Mikhail[/name_m], a [name_f]Sofiya[/name_f], a [name_m]Yuri[/name_m], a [name_m]Vitali[/name_m], a [name_f]Natasha[/name_f], and a [name_f]Veronika[/name_f], for example.

I believe you should embrace your culture and give your daughter a name that is important to you.

Honestly, your neighbour made a really unpleasant and unhappy comment. Quite rude, in my opinion. You’re not [name_f]English[/name_f], so you don’t have to select an [name_f]English[/name_f] name… Most of the times, when people make that type of comments, it is because they aren’t very receptive to immigrants, different cultures or even new ideas…

When people from English-speaking countries emigrate to non-English-speaking countries, most of them give their children [name_f]English[/name_f] or international names, so why can’t you choose a Russian name in the UK?
I have family, friends, and colleagues who live or have lived in the UK, and as far as I know, they don’t have/didn’t have problems with their names. Some of their names are [name_f]Inês[/name_f], [name_f]Lúcia[/name_f], [name_m]Nelson[/name_m], [name_f]Isabel[/name_f], [name_m]Márcio[/name_m], Nádia, [name_f]Carmen[/name_f], [name_f]Andreia[/name_f], [name_f]Madalena[/name_f], [name_m]Joel[/name_m] and [name_m]Tiago[/name_m]. Of course the pronounciation is different in [name_f]English[/name_f], but the names don’t become unusable…

Many countries and cities in Europe are multicultural. There are so many places rich in different cultures, with citizens from all around the world. I think that is wonderful! Sharing your culture and traditions is amazing.

Your sons’ names are wonderful! Your list for your baby girl is gorgeous.
The names [name_f]Maria[/name_f] and [name_f]Tatiana[/name_f] are used in more that 15 languages! [name_f]Irina[/name_f] and [name_f]Anastasia[/name_f] are also easily recognized everywhere, in my opinion. [name_f]Irina[/name_f] Shayk really made the name stand out in the last decades. However, there are many more talented Irina’s out there! I have encountered Irinas from distinct nationalities and ethnicities. [name_f]Anastasia[/name_f] has multiple namesakes in popular culture. If you click on the name here on Nameberry, you will find more that 30 famous women named [name_f]Anastasia[/name_f] (members of royal families, gymnasts, dancers, singers, actresses, etc.).
[name_f]Xenia[/name_f], [name_f]Aleksandra[/name_f] and [name_f]Yekaterina[/name_f] are a little less intuitive to pronounce and spell. However, if you love them and if you feel that your daughter’s name is one of these 3 options, go with it! [name_f]Xenia[/name_f] has a magnificent meaning. [name_m]Perfect[/name_m] for your daughter, actually! I think “hospitable, welcoming” sounds great for a baby born abroad. It’s a really nice ancient greek name, loaded with history. [name_f]Aleksandra[/name_f] and [name_f]Yekaterina[/name_f] are also lovely versions of [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] and Katherine/Catherine. They’re timeless, classic, well-established names that have been used for centuries. They’re absolutely wonderful!

I work at a school in the UK and I’ve had multiple students called Anastasia - I don’t think it’s hard to pronounce :slight_smile: There are also plenty of students with names from all around the world - people have to (and can) learn to say them :person_shrugging: I’d say use a Russian name if that feels right for you!

Is Xenia said ‘Sen-yah’ or ‘sen-ee-uh’ or something else?

Of your list, I really like Irina, Aleksandra, and Tatiana!

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I don’t know how to explain in [name_f]English[/name_f] well! I should probably have spelt it the Russian «Ksenia» way on my post, but Ks-en-ya. But the Ks is very quick and the en is emphasised.)

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Hello I know it has nothing to do with this but I wanted to recommend [name_f]Flora[/name_f] and [name_f]Lavinia[/name_f], they are LOVELY names that I think can work in Russian too, there was a Russian character I know written by a native speaking writer named [name_f]Flora[/name_f].

Your list is not at all hard to pronounce! So strange to hear that people struggle with these… :exploding_head: Pick the one you love! :blush:

My favourites are

Aleksandra
Irina
Anastasia (so beautiful! I 100% prefer the Russian pronunciation)

But all of these are gorgeous!

I know two women named [name_f]Xenia[/name_f] ‘Ksenia’ :blush: One lives in Dubai and another one in Switzerland. It’s honestly not difficult to pronounce. [name_f]My[/name_f] name is [name_f]Gretchen[/name_f] and a lot of people don’t know how to pronounce it, but after I have told them, nobody has a problem :blush:

Given the popularity of Tsarina Anastasia’s story… I am gobsmacked they are saying [name_f]Anastasia[/name_f] is too hard to say? I can understand [name_f]Xenia[/name_f] since I don’t know an [name_f]English[/name_f] speaking person who would say it the Russian way (such a tragedy!), but so sad to see [name_f]Anastasia[/name_f] is gone :heart:

I’m honestly shocked any of these would be considered hard but my grandma loved [name_f]Russia[/name_f] and spoke often about her Russian friends (one of which was an Aleksandra!), and I grew up familiar with Tsar [name_m]Nikolai[/name_m] and his family’s story…. [name_f]Irina[/name_f], [name_f]Maria[/name_f], and [name_f]Tatiana[/name_f] are not hard to say, and [name_f]Yekaterina[/name_f] is pretty phonetic, all things considered. I’m American, not [name_f]British[/name_f], but I don’t see an issue with any of these. I would’ve especially loved to see [name_f]Irina[/name_f], [name_f]Tatiana[/name_f], or Anastasia… [name_f]Maria[/name_f] and [name_f]Aleksandra[/name_f] are lovely but [name_f]Maria[/name_f] and [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] are so international that they don’t feel as Russian to me? [name_f]Yekaterina[/name_f] is definitely more approachable for the UK but I like [name_f]Ekaterina[/name_f] visually more appealing.

Good luck!

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[name_f]Irina[/name_f] is beautiful! If you want people in the UK to get the pronunciation, just tell them it is like [name_f]Irene[/name_f] (a name at least some people will have met). Actually as everyone else has said, all these names are beautiful and pretty easy to pronounce. Go with what you want.

[name_f]Yekaterina[/name_f] might be a little difficult and [name_f]Aleksandra[/name_f] might get misspelled as [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] but [name_f]Irina[/name_f], [name_f]Maria[/name_f], and [name_f]Tatiana[/name_f] should be completely fine.

I know a little girl named [name_f]Irina[/name_f] (Russian, living in the states). I like that name!

Ideas;
[name_f]Alla[/name_f]
[name_f]Natalya[/name_f]
[name_f]Lyudmila[/name_f]
[name_f]Sonja[/name_f]
[name_f]Mila[/name_f]
[name_f]Yelena[/name_f]
[name_f]Inessa[/name_f]
[name_f]Anna[/name_f]
[name_f]Melina[/name_f]

I think all on your list are great and totally navigable for non-Russians, too.

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I’m in the US but I knew a [name_f]Ksenia[/name_f] when I was in high school and no one really had trouble with it, that spelling seems easier to pronounce in an [name_f]English[/name_f] speaking world than [name_f]Xenia[/name_f] to me. I would think [name_f]Aleksandra[/name_f], [name_f]Irina[/name_f], [name_f]Maria[/name_f], and [name_f]Tatiana[/name_f] would be very easily pronounceable. I would say [name_f]Anastasia[/name_f] like ann-uh-STAY-zha, but would find ah-nuh-stah-see-uh also intuitive, not sure if either of those is the correct Russian pronunciation though. I would assume [name_f]Yekaterina[/name_f] is yuh-kat-uh-REE-nuh with like a soft r sound but could be convinced otherwise. I say go for the name you love. None of these are unwearable in an [name_f]English[/name_f] speaking world, and it sounds like you probably won’t even end up staying in the UK, and your baby having an English-sounding name really shouldn’t be a priority anyway

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