Anaïs

The name itself seems cool, and I want to like it, but I just don't. Like it just sounds strange to me and not like a name, though I know it is. It's just not for me.

PLEASE DONT NAME YOUR DAUGHTER THIS! I grew up with this difficult name and was called ANUS relentlessly by classmates. I even had college professors call out my name with this pronunciation and at pharmacies. Can you imagine some stranger saying “your name is Anus?!”
I go strictly by Ana now as an adult. But, god I hated my name for so long!

It's classic, elegant, cute, kind of lolita style to me, but it can grow up well. It reminds me of actresses of the silent film era. I see it as an exotic version of Lily, a more formal version of Lulu for some reason. I never felt it like "anus" before. I thought it was not so rare.

I am called Anais with double dots on my I. I have been bullied tons of times and my teachers can't say my name, I love it anyway! When I was 6 my grandma died and before she did she gave a beautiful purple dress and the Anais Anais perfume. My mum was in France and heard the name and called me it. My 4 brothers all have either French or old English name/middles names.

Oh, I love it! Yes, Anais is definitely a beautiful name and, above all, elegant. It seems strange to me because normally only long names seem elegant and refined for me, such as Anastasia, Josephine, Genevieve, etc. But Anais, being such a short name that it resembles Anne (I have nothing against this name, but I find it extremely boring), it has a beautiful sound, it is classic, feminine and wonderful. I think more parents should consider this name, because it is hardly heard.

Not bad. Very pretty.

I love it! Sadly, though, there is Anais Nin, the dingbat, to think of :(

Never heard of this name before. I think it sounds very elegant.

One of the most beautiful names in the world.

Anaïs here!
When I was younger I got lots of comments about how to pronounce my name, and went through plenty of bullying and being called anus. I have grown up pronouncing my name like “uh-nye-iss” instead of the way it is traditionally said. I now love my name and am proud to have it!

I have always thought this name was beautiful. There was a girl named Anaïs back in primary school - she didn't stay at that school for long, and she wasn't even in my class, I just remember reading her name on some sort of roll call and thinking, "Wow. That's beautiful." (I'm 28 today, for reference.) There was a large Latino community, so no one had any difficulty pronouncing her name. (It really isn't *that* hard, anyway.)

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Anaïs is different from all the other Ann-derived names, but not so altered that it's unrecognizable. And it's uncommon without being unfamiliar.

Melodious and nice.

Such a cute name, I love it. I sure wished my parents named me this. But it looks prettier spelt like “Anaïse”.

I love how it sounds, but not how it looks. I would probably add an E. Anaïse.

My name is Anasii. I don't know how it relates, but it sounds similar.

My name is Anai after my mother's favorite perfume Anaïs Anaïs. She dropped the S because she wanted my middle name to be Stefani so I am Anai Stefani. I will honestly say, I did not grow to love my name until adulthood. Growing up with the name Anai was frustrating and embarrassing at times as a child. I did not stand up for myself and correct people. I grew up in Virginia, United States, and was content when my American peers and teachers pronounced my name An-Eye.

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Several times, I thought about going by a nickname to make every day introductions easier. It is still difficult and embarrassing at times, especially in the work force with my American English-only speaking co workers because it takes several weeks and several corrections, and at the end, I settle for their pronunciation of Anna-ee with a hard break in between.

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However, not a single day, no lie, goes by that I do not get a compliment on my name. I often get told that it is beautiful or unique, and is a great ice-breaker. I have learned to love my name, especially when it goes pronounced correctly. I feel good every day when a stranger calls my name beautiful. All of my Peruvian relatives and anyone from Central or South America have no problem pronouncing it, since the name Anahi is common and the name of a famous Mexican singer, and I've also heard Anai as a nickname for Ana Isabella.

I know this name from a character on The Amazing World of Gumball and it is such a beautiful name. However, I would spell it Anaïse.

This name is related to, yet so different from the overly popular Anna or Hannah, yet it sounds so exotic. It is definitely one of my favorite names.

My name is Anaïs! I absolutely love my name but it has been hard growing up with quite an unusual name, I must say!

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When I was younger I never really cared or knew about the way it was spelt but when I reached secondary school (high school) that's when I became self-conscience of it; because I met a lot of ignorant people along the way - pronouncing it wrong on purpose. At first I didn't know how to deal with it and even contemplated changing my name legally - but since then and because of that I grew thicker skin and learned to appreciate my name a lot more! It makes me feel more special because my name is unique and one of a kind.

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If you're thinking of naming your child Anaïs, teach her to appreciate its uniqueness and how much more special it makes her!

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All in all it's a precious name!

Anais is a derivative of An'na from Hebrew meaning: "Favor; Grace". I had thought of the perfume and a combination of the end of my first name with my wife's middle name "Ann" when trying to decide our first daughter's name. Then I found the name in a name book and noticed its Hebrew origin and meaning: "one of grace". I was sold - I thought it was easy to spell, familiar, though uncommon, but still romantic and unique (in Spanish, Anaís). To my surprise, most people in the US struggle with the correct pronunciation. Yet, I find pleasure in the fact that no other people do. Later, I found joy in hearing the correct pronunciation of my daughter's name in the movie "Hotel Rwanda" - she was one of the lost nieces Don Cheadle's character searched for until reuniting with them at the end - true story!

My middle name is Anais. I love it. I was named after the perfume "Anais Anais." I've always pronounced it, Ah-nay but I really like the pronunciation, Ah-nah-iss. The spirit of the name Anais reminds me of something very feminine and beautiful like a ballerina. If you are thinking about naming your daughter Anais, you should. It has been a great middle name for me! -Brittney Anais.

I am 30 years old and have the pleasure of also being named Anais.
While I must admit that it was nearly impossible for others to pronounce my name as a child, I absolutely LOVE my name today.
It's original. It's feminine. And it embodies strength.

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While the name is growing in popularity, I do love that not too many ladies in my age group have the name-Anais.

I was named Anais, after the perfume. I can honestly tell you I love my name and very proud of it. It was difficult growing up with this name however, the pronunciation can be different for many. But that never stopped me from sitting down with my teachers and helping them say it, because I refused to have a nickname like Ana or Annie. And it worked. Anais is a strong name and everywhere you hear it love is attached it. That's what I've come to notice. I researched my name numerous times growing up and this is the first time I have come across so much information on this name. I'm glad to see it's becoming common, sort of. Or more appreciated at least. Hopefully one day I wont get so many odd looks when I say my name. - Stay classy my friends.

I wouldn't name my kid this, but it's still elegant, beautiful, and delicate. Anais sounds like a name for a beautiful and exotic woman. I can picture an Anais having her name mispronounced often, though. Maybe it's best as a middle name.

I used to think it was pronounced A-nay. Quite upset with the proper pronunciation, but if I had a child called Anais, I'd pronounce it A-nay.

I like to pronounce it "Ah-NIE-uh" it sounds so exotic. Like the courageous warrior princess you'd see in a book or in a movie...

This name is so gorgeous I even don't know how to express my delight and admiration!

The little sister of my best friend is named Anais. I think it is unique and I especially love the two dots on the "i".

Nobody knows how to pronounce it in the US. Unfortunately, it sort of reminds me of "anus," though it is a very pretty name.

I heard it for the first time when my mother had this perfume called "Anais-Anais" by Cacharel. I hated the perfume a lot (I was 10), but the name was so beautiful. I thought of a girl named "Anais" as a very feminine, playful and very chic but still classy, romantic and had a flair for classic florals.

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Nine years later, I still think it's a beautiful name, and the perfume is still not my cup of tea, but "Promesse" by Cacharel is my favorite perfume.

When I first saw this name, I thought it was pronounced "an ass."

I like this name, but not enough for me to use it myself because nobody will pronounce this name correctly.

It's a gorgeous name! Sweet and delicate, you can also spell it: ANNAIS. To avoid mispronunciations.

It's a beautiful name, ultra feminine and exotic. Anais has an etheral ring to it, I also love how it's short and simple, yet so classy and elegant. I'm glad it's not overly used, that keeps it special!

I would never name a child this. It looks too much like the word anus.

I adore this name! I will definitely call my daughter this.

I like the name, always had. Always pronounced it differently. A-nice/uh-nice. However I think it could be tricky since it has the two dots on the i, it would be hard in school. It's pretty though.

This is a gorgeous name, though the pronunciation may be difficult for some.

I love the name Anais! It's beautiful! So bright, and intelligent. This is a name more parents should consider. It's almost a shame that more parents haven't named their kids this, but if it was popular I wouldn't want to use it! So parents, feel free to use this name, but don't overuse it please!

This is an absolutely gorgeous name. It was my French name in French class two years ago. My teacher then pronounced the s. It had a light and delicate sound ("ah-nah-ees".) But then I got a new teacher, who didn't pronounce the s at the end, so she made me change it to Anaïse, and pronounced it as "ahn-ah-eez."
Still, either way, a pretty name.

Lovely! The sound, spelling, it's all nice.

Anaïs is very beautiful. It's a shame that it isn't a more cosmopolitan name that people in lots of different countries could use.

I love the name Anaïs! I think that it would be very pretty for a girl here, but unfortunately, Americans don't normally use the accent tréma.