Message: "Aya" - Behind the Name

Aya

by Perrine (Destry)

3/24/2021, 2:33 PM

What are your thoughts on Aya?

I loved it many years ago and now I'm starting to like it again. Pronounced AH-ya.

Does it work for a non-Japanese child?

Are there any jokes people could make?

It means "color" in Japanese so it just gives me this nice image of a colorful painting. In Japan it's a bit dated.

Please rate my list: https://www.behindthename.com/pnl/6232

#Aya

Replies

- LapinLavender

3/25/2021, 11:01 AM

I like Aya. I think it is also a Hebrew name. The Japanese name meaning is nice. I'm not sure if I would use a Japanese name on a child, but I think Aya is fine. I like Aya as a nickname short for Ayala. I can't think of any jokes.

- Guest (guest)

3/24/2021, 11:03 PM

Sure! Besides, names don't have race! Plus, it's beautiful. Personally, I find it sweet, easy to say and spell, and refreshing.

- Angrboða (Moirrey)

3/24/2021, 7:16 PM

I used to know a little girl named Aya, she was half-Japanese and all her sisters had Italian names oddly enough. She's probably 20 now. LOL.

It is pretty, but gets somewhat lost amongst Ava, Maya, Mia, Kaya etc. Even though its not common it feels a little boring.

- Gracie (YMPvt) +1

3/24/2021, 5:41 PM

I think this definitely works on a non-Japanese child. Sound wise it fits right closely with Maya and Kaya. It feels a bit lacking to me now, but 10 years ago I was in love with it.

- Perrine (Destry)

3/24/2021, 5:59 PM

Same here. Did you watch reruns of Ayashi no Ceres by any chance :D It was how I was first introduced to the name and also to Aki (boy) which I like as well. It brings back such childhood memories.

But Aya was a crazy common name in Japan (#1 in many years) and I have met quite a few people with it by now. Still it has this charm to me and I love the meaning.

- noisynora

3/24/2021, 4:38 PM

In English it sounds like Ava in a babyish accent at least to me. But I bet it works great in another language

- Higuma (Higuma Kanora)

3/24/2021, 4:29 PM

Aya is kinda boring to me, not terrible though.

I think a black person could pull it off, but one anyone else it's iffy.

- Dracotorix

3/24/2021, 3:55 PM

It reminds me of ayah like a maid. (specifically I hear a line from the Secret Garden musical where she says "where's my ayah?" in a spoiled white kid voice.) I like the sound though.

This message was edited 3/24/2021, 3:56 PM

- RoxStar

3/24/2021, 2:37 PM

People from Maine say "ayuh" (pronounced eye-uh) to mean yes, or all right. SO no, I don't think it works very well outside of Japan. It also souns like a karate yell. Like how Miss Piggy always used to do.

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