We have a baby boy coming in 2 weeks and can’t make up our mind between a few names.
We love [name_m]Ivan[/name_m] - pronounced Ee-vahn, but not so much I-van. Our family and friends will know it’s Ee-vahn, but we know in school and most people will assume I-van and not sure if we want him to go through life constantly correcting people on pronunciation
Both husband and I have roots from Balkans…Croatian and Macedonian…so this name is common and there, but not sure if it’s appeal in the US…I feel like it has a negative connotation with it…looking for thoughts and impressions?
I like [name_u]Luka[/name_u], but husband feels that it’s become too popular at this point and it’s generic.
[name_u]Nikola[/name_u] runs in the family, but most will shorten it to [name_u]Nik[/name_u].
Thanks!
I would advise against using [name_m]Ivan[/name_m] in the US since you do not like the pronunciation EYE-van. [name_u]Nikola[/name_u] seems like a better fit.
I think they’re all great choices! If you both love [name_m]Ivan[/name_m] I would go for it. I have a differently spelled name that gets mispronounced often. It’s annoying but I’ve gotten used to it and honestly love my name and how it’s spelled.
I would say I-van but it’s an easy correction. I really like [name_u]Nikola[/name_u] and the nickname [name_u]Nik[/name_u].
No pronunciation issues with [name_u]Luka[/name_u], but it is quite popular. Good luck
I would stay with [name_m]Ivan[/name_m] as all friends and acquaintances would know the pronunciation you want and when he’s introduced to others they would hear the preferred pronunciation. Otherwise, it’s an easy correction. [name_f]My[/name_f] second choice would be [name_u]Nikola[/name_u] but only if you like the nickname [name_u]Nik[/name_u] as it is very likely to be shortened especially when he is young adult.
from another balkaner - all three are such beautiful names!! nikola is my favourite of the three. it might get shortened to nik, but i know people called nicholas who go by their full name, so i don’t think nikola has to get shortened. if you don’t like nik, you could also try shortening it to niko instead, if it suits your tastes better!
ivan is my second favourite choice! i also have a name that gets mispronounced at first glance, and it’s never bothered me making a quick correction. it’s also the most unique choice of the three, which might be a positive since you seem to like names that are a bit less popular! and to be honest, it sounds like ivan’s your favourite of the three, so i’m inclined to tell you to follow your heart and call him ivan! it’s a lovely name
[name_f]My[/name_f] personal favourite is [name_u]Nikola[/name_u], I love this name on boys but [name_m]Ivan[/name_m] runs in my family and this name will always have a special place in my heart. If you both love the name [name_m]Ivan[/name_m], I’d definitely go for it as it’s not very popular in the US and the mispronunciation can always be corrected
I’ve always liked the name [name_m]Ivan[/name_m], but to be honest I would be worried about English-speaking Americans pronouncing it eye-van or like [name_f]Yvonne[/name_f].
I like [name_u]Luka[/name_u] and [name_u]Nikola[/name_u]. To me [name_u]Luka[/name_u] seems like the “safest” option in terms of pronunciation and familiarity.
[name_u]Nikola[/name_u] or [name_u]Luka[/name_u] would definitely be easier pronunciation-wise. [name_f]My[/name_f] favorite is [name_m]Ivan[/name_m] & I do think it could work. When I worked at a school there was a girl named [name_f]Abigail[/name_f] who used the Spanish pronunciation (a-bee-guy-eel). It really didn’t seem to be much of a problem for teachers/students to use her correct pronunciation (and this was not a heavily Hispanic area). I think we underestimate people’s ability to respect someone’s chosen pronunciation of their name. The real pronunciation issue would probably be when interacting with new people, so I guess it a matter of deciding how important that is for you.
[name_m]Ivan[/name_m] pronounced ee-vahn is also how it’s said in Spanish, so depending on where you live a lot of people may already be familiar with that pronunciation. I don’t think [name_m]Ivan[/name_m] pronounced how you would like is out of reach, but I would make sure you’re also okay with the eye-van pronunciation, just because while you may choose to always correct people’s pronunciation he may choose not to, or that he even prefers the eye-van pronunciation.
[name_f]My[/name_f] favourite would be [name_u]Luka[/name_u] I find this sooo handsome and certainly not plain. I have never met a [name_u]Luka[/name_u] ever, but would love to. I haven’t ever known a [name_m]Luke[/name_m] either though. I have known 1 [name_m]Lucas[/name_m], but only asked to go by [name_m]Lucas[/name_m] and never [name_m]Luke[/name_m] or [name_u]Luka[/name_u]. I love all 3 variations though [name_u]Luka[/name_u] gets my vote
I find this sooo handsome and certainly not plain. I have never met a [name_u]Luka[/name_u] ever, but would love to. I haven’t ever known a [name_m]Luke[/name_m] either though. I have known 1 [name_m]Lucas[/name_m], but only asked to go by [name_m]Lucas[/name_m] and never [name_m]Luke[/name_m] or [name_u]Luka[/name_u]. I love all 3 variations though