Judge me: name for a fantasy eastern princess?

Girl Names
1

See the results of this poll: Judge me:

Respondents: 38 (This poll is closed)

  • Zhazyra : 15 (35%)
  • Azalat : 13 (30%)
  • Shakti : 11 (26%)
  • Iqathva: 4 (9%)
2

I like them all, in terms of sound, besides [name_f]Shakti[/name_f]. I didn’t vote for Iqathva because I didn’t know how to pronounce it before reading your post. Iqathva and Azalat are my favorites.

3

Bumping for time zones!

Thanks for the input @yuma. If Iqathva is too inaccessible to the eyes then she’ll have to go

4

I really like the sound of Zhazyra & Iqathva, but only after reading your pronunciation breakdown did I know how to say it as initially I had no idea. For a written narrative where pronunciation isn’t explained, I think you’d do best to go with a name that is a little less complex, so as not to have the reader stumble upon it awkwardly every time they come upon it.

I think [name_f]Shakti[/name_f] & Azalat would be your best bets, as they are far easier to get a pronunciation for most readers akin to, or similar to, the breakdowns you provide here. Personally, I would go with [name_f]Shakti[/name_f], for this reason, as well as the ‘power’ meaning, which I assume might fit your princess character well.

5

[name_m]How[/name_m] would you have pronounced Zhazyra without my input? I am torn on whether to use it because it’s probably my favourite but is difficult and a little jarring to the eyes.

[name_m]Even[/name_m] if people pronounce it a little differently it doesn’t bother me. ja-ZEER-ah is just how I’d personally say it.

I’m leaning towards Azalat because it’s a fantasy universe and an invented culture, and [name_f]Shakti[/name_f] already has some pretty strong Sanskrit associations (divine feminine power etc) even though [name_f]Shakti[/name_f] is also my favourite.

Thanks for the input! Really appreciate it :slight_smile:

6

I voted for Zhazyra which I think is lovely!

I keep hearing shark teeth when I say [name_f]Shakti[/name_f] but that’s probably just me.

7

Your pronunciation for [name_f]Shakti[/name_f] is actually a bit off- it’s not so much “shak-tee” as it is “shuck-thee”. In Sanskrit, an “a” usually sounds more like an “uh” and a “t” more like a “th”. This is coming from an [name_f]Indian[/name_f] with a Sanskrit name, by the way :slight_smile:

So obviously I’m a bit biased and like [name_f]Shakti[/name_f] best!

8

Omg thank you so much for this! I will edit the original post. Your name ([name_f]Anjali[/name_f]?) is stunning.

9

Looks like I was wrong about the [name_f]Shakti[/name_f] pronunciation so Shark Teeth is no more :joy: thanks for your vote! Zhazyra is still knawing at me…