Synneva
This is my great grandmother’s name, born in Norway in 1859. I think it is a pretty name and rolls of the tongue nicely. However, I see an easy target for teasing… “[name]Son[/name]-of-a…” Anyway, is this usable, maybe with a nn of [name]Eva[/name]?
Honestly, upon just a quick glance of this name, I thought it was a misspelled [name]Savannah[/name]. Now, I see that it isn’t. [name]Even[/name] so, I think its spelling alone moves it to the realm of tryndee, which isn’t what I think you are going for. And, the “son-of-a” teasing opportunity isn’t so good. I’m going to vote…NO. Sorry!
A big YES for the traditional spelling of Synneva! I personally [name]LOVE[/name] this name! My great-great grandmother, born 1857, (whose parents were from Norway) was named Synneva. I named my kids more classic “English/American” names, but iI I were to give a daughter a Norwegian name, I would name her Synneva [name]Astrid[/name]. The traditional spelling of Synneva does not have an H at the end. If you take off the added H, the name would look less complicated and is much less likely to be confused with [name]Savannah[/name]. Unfortunately, it is a name that people will need help spelling and pronouncing the first time. If you do decide to use an authentic Norwegian name, I would definitely vote for this stunning name!
I completely agree with [name]Lemon[/name]. It reminded me of “[name]Neveah[/name]” at first (a trendy name based on heaven spelled backwards). I’m afraid you would probably always be explaining (or wanting to explain) the origin of the name. You should be able to find a similar name that honors your great-grandmother like [name]Savannah[/name] or one of the [name]Eve[/name]/[name]Eva[/name] names.
I’m feeling the need to chime in…again.
I hate (hate, hate, HATE) to say this, but I feel like, if you were to eventually use both [name]Thor[/name] and Synnevah, you and your wife would become the kooky people down the street who named their children bizarre - though these aren’t really bizarre, just foreign - names. If there were children named [name]Thor[/name] and Synnevah in my neighborhood, this would happen - obviously that speaks to the conservative nature of my neighborhood and city, but still. And, I would feel awful should that happen to you! I’m not saying that you shouldn’t be creative and unique in exploring your ancestral names, because I love that you are going with bold, significant choices, but - and it is a big BUT - not everyone will appreciate it, and my worry goes to the children. Again, I hated to say it, because it sounds so insensitive, sheltered, conservative, and, well, awful, but I needed to get it off my chest.
That being said, I’m still loving on [name]Thor[/name] [name]Leopold[/name]!
When I first saw the heading, I thought, no way. But then I read your explanation and the other responses and I warmed up to it. If you’re open to it, I think the suggestion about dropping the final ‘h’ for traditional spelling reasons and for avoiding confusion with [name]Savannah[/name], I think that would be a good idea. I was born in Norway, so I’m also partial to the Norwegian names. The nickname [name]Eva[/name] would be great (although I’m a bit disappointed to see yet another nn of [name]Eva[/name] because I was thinking of a name that would shorten to [name]Eva[/name] for my future daughter. I don’t know how it is that names I’ve had in mind for years and haven’t been the least bit common are suddenly all over the place. It’s so interesting how that happens.) Nevertheless, it’s a great name.
It is a beautiful name but with that said it does look like a mispelled [name]Savannah[/name] and reminds me of [name]Nevaeh[/name] too.
I do really like the “[name]Eva[/name]” nn.
I thought it was one one of those name that read something backwards and was trying to decifer it!
I agree that it looks trendy.
[name]Hi[/name] Everwaiteing,
Maybe we’re related! I just dug out the family tree and she was born in Iowa, near [name]Leroy[/name], MN. Spent most of her life in [name]Aurora[/name], MN. Married to [name]James[/name] [name]Johnson[/name] - 11 kids! Also see that her nn was [name]Susie[/name].
[name]Hi[/name] Everwaiteing,
Maybe we’re related! I just dug out the family tree and she was born in Iowa, near [name]Leroy[/name], MN. Spent most of her life in [name]Aurora[/name], MN. Married to [name]James[/name] [name]Johnson[/name] - 11 kids! Also see that her nn was [name]Susie[/name].[/quote]
I love that those places, [name]Leroy[/name] and [name]Aurora[/name], are both names! Have you thought of using [name]Aurora[/name]? Any other great finds on the family tree?
Again, huge sorry to you for my earlier, negative post…
I guess there could be a connection. My great-great grandmother was born in Iowa too! (However, her family lived near Decorah. She married a [name]Knute[/name] Lien-"[name]Lee[/name]" and moved to [name]Ada[/name], MN, so it’s not the same person.) My Synneva “Americanized” her name to [name]Susan[/name], similarly to yours.
I do understand what [name]Lemon[/name] is saying. For a child in [name]America[/name], unless someone understands that it’s a Norwegian name, I guess it could be viewed as trendy. I do think taking off the H would help in that regard. I had not noticed the “son of a” concern until it was pointed out. I just can’t help expressing enthusiasm for a name that I have actively admired and always found stunning in my family tree.
(BTW, lest anyone think that I misspelled my ID of everwaiteing, the “waite” part refers to the music of [name]John[/name] Waite.)
I have previously written about my love of the name Synneva on Nameberry. I think the nn of [name]Eva[/name] would simplify daily life and be totally gorgeous.
Norsedad, please keep us posted on what you decide.
I like taking of the H for:
Synneva
Also, if [name]Eva[/name] is too trendy, [name]Susie[/name] is an alternative nn that was used by my great grandmother. Actually, [name]Susie[/name] might be better because I would be afraid of “Sin-[name]Eva[/name]” teasing.
Never say never but we’re pretty sure this will be an only child, so no worries of having a Synneva AND a [name]Thor[/name]. We are coming at this later in life than most and never intended to have children until a perfect storm of family events convinced us otherwise.
I’m developing a list of possible names and will post a poll soon. Thanks!
I have just looked up popular Norwegian names and Synneva was not mentioned and neither was [name]Eva[/name] to my surprise.
It is the Sin in this name that I dislike and it is the [name]Eva[/name] in it that I do like.
Some popular Norwegian names for you to consider
[name]Anna[/name]
[name]Camilla[/name]
[name]Caroline[/name]
[name]Kirsten[/name]
[name]Helene[/name]
[name]Maren[/name]
[name]Olina[/name]
[name]Petra[/name]
[name]Nora[/name]
[name]Hanna[/name]
[name]Eva[/name] is pretty. I could see naming your daughter Synneva and calling her [name]Eva[/name]. Or I could see having Synneva as a middle name. If you live in a really cool or Scandinavian area, Synneva would be fine. If you live in a more conservative area, [name]Eva[/name] would work better as a first name.
I think that “Synneva” is related to (if not a variant of) “Sunniva” (pron. soohn-eva) a norwegian name from the old english elements meaning “sun gift”. (nn “[name]Sunny[/name]” would be cute.)
You might also like “Svenja” (pron. sven-ya) a german form of “[name]Sven[/name]” or alternately “swan”.
Another option is a blanagram (an anagram with one letter changed), and that could be “Svennia” (sven-ee-ah) (drop the y and add the i.)
Or, you could use your grandmother’s nn “[name]Susie[/name]” (or a variant of) to honor her name. The name does work with your surname - “[name]Susie[/name] [name]Johnson[/name]”. (It might be kinda common sounding, though.)
Good [name]Luck[/name]! Your ideas so far have been great! (i.e. the name “[name]Thor[/name] [name]Leopold[/name] [name]Johnson[/name]” is stunning!)
I love your ideas! Makes me really appreciate your endorsement of [name]Thor[/name] [name]Leopold[/name] 
I adore the name! and love nn [name]Eva[/name] also like [name]Evie[/name] My family is from Norway and would love to use a norwegian name for furture babies : )
I vote for Synneva nn [name]Sunny[/name].
I love your ideas! Makes me really appreciate your endorsement of [name]Thor[/name] [name]Leopold[/name] :)[/quote]
[name]Hi[/name]!
I love Synneva’s meaning to you, and I also love your idea of using [name]Eva[/name] as a nickname. I love [name]Thor[/name] [name]Leopold[/name], and applaud you for choosing distinctive names that honor your heritage.
(What was other [name]Thor[/name] name you were considering? Torvald? Yes, I think that was it…I loved that, too!)
I really love [name]Robyn[/name]'s ideas (especially Svennia and Sunniva, nn [name]Sunny[/name]), and also love [name]Susan[/name]'s idea of using Synneva in the middle if you’re not sure about using it as a first name.
Your family tree has some great names!
Take care!
Yes