Russian name

[kubiq.livejournal.com]

I'd like to pick a Russian male name that would sound good in English and woudn't be too hard to pronounce. I did not want a name that is too common in Russia and I don't want to get just an English equivalent.
The name I like is Veniamin, the short version is Venya (Venia). It is a Russian version of Benjamin- the name I like, but find it too common.
I'd like to hear opinions of native English speakers- would that name sound too odd or unpleasant to an English ear? :-)

Comments

[so-there.livejournal.com]

it sounds a bit feminine to my english ears.

[kubiq.livejournal.com]

Interesting point- that did not occur to me. Both versions, or just Venya?

[jenlohrkelly.livejournal.com]

Venya does. Are there other nicknames?

[kubiq.livejournal.com]

Not really.Well, nothing I'd share at his kindergarten class anyway!

[jenlohrkelly.livejournal.com]

ha!!!

can you use initials for a while---with his middle name???

[kubiq.livejournal.com]

See, it's a cultural and linguistic personal preference, but, for some reason, I absolutely cannot stand using initials... go figure.
There are English names that I really like, but I know that I would want to use a Russian version of that name at home and when I am in Russia, and it is tough to find a name that I like equally in both languages.
That's why my first ( and so far the only) son's name is Anton, which goes beautifully (imho) both ways.

[jenlohrkelly.livejournal.com]

I love Anton.

Can you use Nikolas or Mikhail, or is that too common for your taste??? Both are recognizable in English :)

I used to work with a Belarussian named Vitaly. We all called him *V* for short.

Don't know if that helps???

[kubiq.livejournal.com]

Nikolas I like a lot, but cannot stand the Russian diminutive Kolya :-)
Now, I thought of Mikhail and the short version i really like - Misha ( please don't tell me it's also feminine!)
The question is- how would people pronounce the treacherous kh sound?
My two other names for now are:
Alexander ( Sasha)
Ilya ( Eli?)

[jenlohrkelly.livejournal.com]

I LOVE Misha!!!! I don't think that one's as feminine at all. You could use Nikolas and use the American diminutive *Nicky* if you want. Once you get people used to using whichever nickname you want, they won't use another. (My first baby's name is Martin Joseph III for my hubby's family, and his nickname is Tre. Nobody calls him Marty.)

I'm working on my hubby with a couple names, and I brought up Alexander last night---but he didn't answer.

I think you'll have more of a problem here with Ilya----I went to college with a guy from one of the newer republics, and his name was Karen (Kah-REN). Everyone thought he was female, and they all said his name like the American KARE-en. They gave him a wrong room assignment his freshman year, they listed him with women in the choir, etc. Americans don't get some of the names that come from overseas.

I wish my hubby liked Russian names. He's Irish, so he wants something Gaelic.

[waitingonsunday.livejournal.com]

Just a warning, I know a girl named Misha. And I've heard of others.

[candyshowers.livejournal.com]

I love the nickname Misha/Micha. I know that a lot of people think its too feminine and there are girls named Misha, but I love it.

I like Alexander and Sasha. I know a guy called Sasha, its not short for anything, but he hates it. He was teased about it when he was younger.

[so-there.livejournal.com]

the short version sounds feminine, the full name I can see being mispronounced a lot.

[darthbecca.livejournal.com]

Agreed

[jenlohrkelly.livejournal.com]

I like it, but I'm a Russian stuff buff. I think people would look twice at how to pronounce it, but once you hear it, it's not hard.

My sister in law's name is Siobhan (pronounced Sha-vaughn) which is Gaelic for Joan. She's always had people mispronouncing her name & wrinkling up their noses, but she loves her name. She wouldn't change it, and she's proud of her family heritage.

I say do it.

[candyshowers.livejournal.com]

I knew a guy from Russia called Vitaly. (vee-TAH-lee)
I thought it was a fantastic name, but I'm not sure how popular it is in Russia.

[framedinblood.livejournal.com]

Here's a great list (http://www.20000-names.com/male_russian_names.htm). My personal favourite is Nikolai.

[kubiq.livejournal.com]

It's a pretty scary list!Some of these names are not even names!

[candyshowers.livejournal.com]

And I like Veniamin, a lot.
Not so keen on Venya/Venia though.

[kubiq.livejournal.com]

Vitaly is actually a very feminine name in Russian.
I wonder if I call him Veniamin, how people would shorten that in the US?
Ven?

[candyshowers.livejournal.com]

Is it really? Oops. Good thing I don't see him anymore or I wouldn't be able to keep that to myself. (He's a very "manly man")

They might. Its hard to say how people will shorten names. People are always trying to shorten my name, Anastasia, to Asia and Stasia. (I get a fair amount of Anas and Anns too)

[qalanjo.livejournal.com]

the only people named Vitaly I've met/heard of were guys...hmm :/ ?

[kubiq.livejournal.com]

yes, it is a male name, but it is, in my opinion, one of the most feminine sounding Russian male names ( the other one being Valentin)

[christhiane.livejournal.com]

Dmitri and Nikita. Two of my favourite boys names.

[fleckerbug.livejournal.com]

Pronounced Venya-min?

I like it a lot, but when I try and use it in English sentences, it sounds kinda weird, a little gloppy in my mouth. I can easily magine someone using it in a Russian sentence, though. He might end up being called Vinnie/Vennie/Ven at school or something, so you might want to think of it's possible American nicknames and if you'd hate them not use the name?

Venya is a little feminine sounding, but I think the strong 'n' sound keeps it from being overly so.

My good friend, who is Russian, named her son Vlad and her daughter Katerina (Katie).

If you like it,m use it.

[krosp.livejournal.com]

It is very unusual but I don't mind that, I could learn it quickly. Other people seem to really struggle with names like this though and never remember how to say it.

The only thing unpleasant is that just looking at the word Veniamin reminds me of "venom". But when I say it aloud I like how it sounds, because I also like Benjamin

[qalanjo.livejournal.com]

I think Veniamin is nice but the spelling will probably confuse English speakers. It might not occur to some people that it's a variation of Benjamin, but that's not a big deal.

I think the name you chose would be cool ; )