We are currently expecting baby #2 and are considering using the name [name_f]Ani[/name_f] (pronounced [name_m]Ah[/name_m]-nee) if the baby is a girl. Our first daughter is named [name_f]Maria[/name_f] and we think [name_f]Maria[/name_f] and [name_f]Ani[/name_f] would be very cute together! However, I have told a couple friends our name choice and neither of them like it very much which is very disappointing! I know [name_f]Ani[/name_f] is an uncommon name, but I personally thought it was still very simple and approachable and sweet. One friend thinks it’s a strange choice since we are not Armenian. Let me know what you think? Is it weird to use the name [name_f]Ani[/name_f] if we are not Armenian and is it a name a lot of people are going dislike, or are my friends just giving me a hard time? Thanks!!
Can you clarify the pronunciation? The way you wrote it “[name_m]Ah[/name_m]-nee” reads just like the name [name_f]Annie[/name_f] to me, but it sounds like you’re trying for an uncommon pronunciation. [name_f]Ani[/name_f], with that spelling, as a way to [name_f]Annie[/name_f], just reminds me of [name_f]Ani[/name_f] de [name_m]Franco[/name_m].
The pronunciation is like Aww-nee or On-nee. I think that is the usual way to pronounce this particular name.
My first thought when I hear the name Ani is the YA novel The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale. Not necessarily a bad association, but I’ve always disliked the name a little because of it (I didn’t enjoy the book much). I’ve always pronounced it the same as Annie however, so I think that will cause a lot of problems. But on the other hand, Maria and Ani are very cute together and I don’t think it’s too odd a choice to give up on! I say go for it!
I positively love [name_f]Ani[/name_f]!! I also have had some negative reactions when I mention the name, but if you love it, absolutely use it. I really like [name_f]Maria[/name_f] and [name_f]Ani[/name_f] together. Maybe pair it with a more mainstream, longer middle name to balance it out. I don’t think it’s weird to use it if you aren’t Armenian. Most people, if they even think about the origin of her name, will simply assume it is an Eastern European name. That wouldn’t be too strange of a choice. Good luck!!
[name_f]Ani[/name_f] sounds very nicknamey to me, but I’m probably biased since it’s one of my own nicknames. I definitely don’t think the Armenian thing is an issue. According to the Nameberry link the name is Hawaiian? It’s also very commonly used in Latin-[name_u]America[/name_u] (as a nickname), so I don’t see why there should be a problem with using it if you’re not Armenian, since it appears to be quite international. I think [name_f]Maria[/name_f] and [name_f]Ani[/name_f] sound great together!
[name_f]Glad[/name_f] some people like it! I do expect many people will guess the pronunciation [name_f]Annie[/name_f], but I figure it should be a very simple correction and not a big deal. I’m glad others feel you don’t need to be Armenian to use it, that makes me feel much better! I don’t mind the nicknamey quality of it, I tend to like names that are short and sweet like that.
I like [name_f]Ani[/name_f] quite a bit! I love [name_f]Annie[/name_f], but I never assumed [name_f]Annie[/name_f] and [name_f]Ani[/name_f] were said the same way. I think [name_f]Maria[/name_f] and [name_f]Ani[/name_f] together are very cute and spunky, lithe and European. I really like it as a sibset. The feel of them together reminds me of one of my beloved favorites–[name_f]Eleni[/name_f]! Very unusual and cool, I think. I had no clue that it was Armenian, or even Eastern European–I had figured it was Hawaiian, maybe, or Mediterranean.
If you’re REALLY bugged by their response, what about using [name_f]Ani[/name_f] as a nn for something longer (and more mainstream, if you have to), like [name_f]Anneliese[/name_f] (in [name_m]German[/name_m], I think it’s pronounced [name_m]AH[/name_m]-neh-lee-seh?), [name_f]Ariana[/name_f], [name_f]Liliana[/name_f], [name_f]Ana[/name_f] [name_f]Sofia[/name_f], etc., with [name_f]Ani[/name_f] as the nn? I rather like the idea of [name_f]Maria[/name_f] and [name_f]Ariana[/name_f] nn [name_f]Ani[/name_f], actually, but I think just [name_f]Maria[/name_f] and [name_f]Ani[/name_f] is pretty perfect, too.
Good luck!
I know one. She wears it well, and nobody bats an eye when she says it. I say you should choose it, no matter what others say. It’s not THEIR baby.
[name_m]Just[/name_m] know you will get questions trying to clarify pronounciation, as the [name_f]Ani[/name_f] I know does.
I know a middle-school-age [name_f]Ani[/name_f]. The name suits her very well and I think it’s spunky and unique. To me it looks like a nickname at first glance, but the pronunciation makes it feel more like a full name. I think it’s beautiful and I say go for it. 
I’m not a big fan of the name. It sounds masculine to me. Especially with elder sister [name_f]Maria[/name_f]. Also, upon glancing the name, I immediately pronounce it as [name_f]Annie[/name_f] in my head because of [name_f]Ani[/name_f] DiFranco.
Thanks everyone! Makes me feel more confident in our choice I’m actually pretty sure that [name_f]Ani[/name_f] DiFranco’s name is also pronounced [name_m]Ah[/name_m]-nee rather than [name_f]Annie[/name_f]. I saw her in concert once and that’s how I remember it anyway
My first thought was [name_f]Ani[/name_f] DiFranco (which I have always pronounced [name_m]Ah[/name_m]-nee as well)
I really like it!
Short, sweet and not too frilly.