Message: "Ronja" - Behind the Name

Ronja

by Perrine (Destry)

3/31/2017, 2:27 AM

I fell in love with the name Ronja. I always liked Roni which is a Hebrew name meaning 'my joy/song'. But many people told me it is incomplete. So I was looking for longer versions that would still allow me to use the nickname Roni and stumbled upon Ronja which I like better than Veronica. It is pronounced RON-ya and a Swedish name that comes from the name of a lake. I really like nature names so the lake association (I googled it and it is a nice lake) is a big plus.

It also has a really nice literary association being the name of the main character of a Swedish book called 'Ronia, the Robber's Daughter' (in the Swedish original she is Ronja). I haven't read it yet but I plan on reading it soon, apparently the character of Ronja is really awesome and she tries to fight for peace between to groups of robbers who are enemies. It seems to be a classic book in Sweden.

Would you use Ronia or Ronja? Ronya?

If you are from Sweden can you tell me how the name is perceived in Sweden? (trendy, timeless, beautiful, modern etc.)

#Ronja

Replies

- Starstrider (Serafina Starstrider) +1

3/31/2017, 6:16 AM

It definitely works better than Veronica for the nn Roni pronounced the Hebrew way. I love Veronica but it just doesn't work for the pronunciation of Roni that you like.

Ronja will probably get mispronounced a lot in the US but it is easy to explain that it is pronounced like Sonja only with an R instead of an S.

I think Ronja is okay, I definitely prefer Sonja but that doesn't give you the nn that you love. It's not my cup of tea but Ronja is not an ugly name.

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- Perrine (Destry)

3/31/2017, 8:32 AM

Yes, you are right, Sonja pr. SON-ya seems to be somewhat familiar so it won't be too hard to explain :)I actually like it too but I think in this case prefer Sonia :D

- Ninor (Frozten) +4

3/31/2017, 2:34 AM

It's not associated with the lake here in Sweden though. :) It's very associated with the book character, but it's also a common name for children/teens. I'd say it's a modern name .

I like Ronja and prefer this spelling.

- Caprice +3

3/31/2017, 4:06 AM

This ^

- Perrine (Destry) +2

3/31/2017, 4:12 AM

Thank you both

Hahaha thank you both for your answers! But how is the name perceived in Sweden? You said modern, but modern in the sense of Madison or Brynlee or something or modern in a more classic way like maybe Eliana, Willow or Paige?

This message was edited 3/31/2017, 4:12 AM

- Caprice +1

3/31/2017, 4:15 AM

Neither, I would say. It wasn't used before the 1980's when the book came, but I don't think it has ever been seen as trashy, because Astrid Lindgren and her characters are so deeply loved here.

- Perrine (Destry)

3/31/2017, 4:22 AM

Ahhh I see :) That's nice. Maybe it will become a classic over time :P

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