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Baby name advice

post #1 of 24
12/19/09 at 9:49am
Thread Starter 
I'm hoping for some objective feedback that may help resolve some uncertainty about what my forthcoming daughter will be named. I'll give you this in the way of context: We would like a name that has some Indian/Sanskrit meaning, but that isn't necessarily the kind of name that will give non-Indians problems in English-speaking society. (The middle name will he hardcore Indo.) The last name will be a two-syllable Italian word starting with S (which is my last name).

So after much deliberation, we've narrowed it to these two choices (Indo/Sanskrit significance in parens):

- Anika (another name for Durga, goddess of redemption, fearlessness, patience)
- Maya (illusion, dream; also can refer to Buddha's mother)

I'm interested in any reactions, connotations, feelings.

Thanks!

(Adding a poll just for fun.)
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post #2 of 24
12/19/09 at 10:03am
I had thought 'Maya/Maia' meant 'mother'? I dunno. Got my vote anyway.
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post #3 of 24
12/19/09 at 11:25am
kinda tough, since we dont know you. Who are you? Are you white? Are you catholic? Jewish, indian? A jewish guy naming his kid lafonda doenst work in the same context as an african american. What are you into? Are you an ironic hipster, a club banger?
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post #4 of 24
12/19/09 at 11:36am
Thread Starter 
I'm white (and the source of the Italian last name). Wife is Indian by name and descent (though American by birth and upbringing). We're lawyers, but cool ones. I used to be much hipper than I am now. It's very hard to preserve hipness at age 37.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jgold47 View Post
kinda tough, since we dont know you. Who are you? Are you white? Are you catholic? Jewish, indian? A jewish guy naming his kid lafonda doenst work in the same context as an african american. What are you into? Are you an ironic hipster, a club banger?
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post #5 of 24
12/19/09 at 12:35pm
+1 for Maya. I'd name my daughter Maya as well.
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post #6 of 24
12/19/09 at 12:53pm
I'm a fan of Anika. It's safely exotic. Maya reminds me of the Mesoamerican people group.
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post #7 of 24
12/19/09 at 2:11pm
Problem with "Anika" is wondering where the inflection belongs. She'll spend the rest of her life correcting people,.
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post #8 of 24
12/19/09 at 2:24pm
not a fan of maya, toltec, aztec

anika sounds swedish (sorenstam) but id go with that between the two
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post #9 of 24
12/19/09 at 2:36pm
I've never cared for Maya, it implies delusion.

Here's a list of thousands of Indian first names for girls:

http://www.indiaparenting.com/names/...gi?param1=girl

My favotite has always been Dharma, but the spelling may be a bit problematic for her.

Also Alisha, which means protected.
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post #10 of 24
12/19/09 at 5:59pm
1. I like Maya - it is not clear what ethnicity it belongs to.

2. I would stay away from anything too ethnic

3. with my kids, we gave them somewhat ethnic names, and then very whitebread middle names. I would suggest the same, it gives them the option of being A. Janet Corleone as opposed to Anika Corleone. give your kid options.

4. I like a goddess who wears a skull necklace as much as anybody
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post #11 of 24
12/19/09 at 6:09pm
Another vote for Maya. Its pretty, its simple and it rolls off your tongue rather than requiring you to barf it out like you'd have to with Anika. also Anika reminds me of Anikin Skywalker.
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post #12 of 24
12/19/09 at 6:59pm
Both anika and maya sound cool, but anika sounds nicer.
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post #13 of 24
12/19/09 at 9:13pm
"Adolph Hitler" is a popular choice these days.
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post #14 of 24
12/19/09 at 9:16pm
I have to tell you, those are black names.
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post #15 of 24
12/20/09 at 12:08am
I like the swedish Annika, its also Seven of Nines born name so many Trekkies name thier daughters this.
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