Opinion on this Indian name?

[Anonymous]

I'm Indian (Hindu) and we named our first daughter Raina. I didn't know it was such a popular Hispanic name too! It means night and can also be spelled Rayna, Reyna, Reina. It's easy to pronounce but we do sometimes get Rai-na.

We're considering Sarina for our 2nd daughter

[Anonymous]

I know a Reina (means Queen in Spanish). Great name for a great girl. Go for it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like a middle eastern name, not Indian. Maybe Indian Muslim but not a Hindu name.

It is a Hindu name.

In Hindi it means night.

It's also an Arab name that means queen, and as a PP mentioned Reina is a Spanish version, which also means queen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi,
What's your opinion on the name Raina for an Indian baby girl? Have you heard this as an Indian name before or does it sound non-Indian to you (if it does, what ethnicity does it make you think of)? Do you prefer any of these names more than Raina...Layla, Mia, Sarina, Mira, Anya? Thanks in advance!!

I like Raina. It doesn't make me think of a single ethnicity, although I'd guess Indian or Middle Eastern. Sarina and Mira are pretty, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: It's easy to pronounce but we do sometimes get Rai-na.

How are you pronouncing it? I'd say "rain-uh."

[Anonymous]

OP here. Yes- it would be pronounced Rain-uh. Thanks for all of the responses so far!

[Anonymous]

OP this may be the first time I have seen all posters like a name. Congrats!!

[Anonymous]

Haha thanks I'll admit I was a little worried about hearing people's honest opinions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm Indian (Hindu) and we named our first daughter Raina. I didn't know it was such a popular Hispanic name too! It means night and can also be spelled Rayna, Reyna, Reina. It's easy to pronounce but we do sometimes get Rai-na.

We're considering Sarina for our 2nd daughter

Great minds think alike!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love Raina, Jiya, & Haya

If pronounced "Ran- aah" - It means night. Naina means "eyes"

If pronounced "Ra- aye-na' - it is Indian last name. How will you ensure that people pronounce it correctly?

Jiya can be pronounced as Gia. And it means heart.

Haya means modesty if pronounced "Huh-yaah".

Again, pronunciation is important.

[Anonymous]

From a meaning perspective, I think I like Anya the best (though I agree people would also assume it's Eastern European etc). I might consider a different spelling for Raina, since I think it could easily be mispronounced (Reyna?).

Have you considered Maya?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From a meaning perspective, I think I like Anya the best (though I agree people would also assume it's Eastern European etc). I might consider a different spelling for Raina, since I think it could easily be mispronounced (Reyna?).

Have you considered Maya?

OP here. I liked Anya a lot too but although it supposedly has a Sanskrit meaning no one I talked to seemed to consider it an Indian name. Pretty much everyone associated it with being Eastern European and assumed it had no Indian connection at all. I love the name Maya, but I just know so many now that it doesn't feel as fresh and original to me anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi,
What's your opinion on the name Raina for an Indian baby girl? Have you heard this as an Indian name before or does it sound non-Indian to you (if it does, what ethnicity does it make you think of)? Do you prefer any of these names more than Raina...Layla, Mia, Sarina, Mira, Anya? Thanks in advance!!

I'm Indian, my DD has one of those names and I know several little Indian babies and toddlers with the other names. They are all lovely and actually almost all of them were on our list, too!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From a meaning perspective, I think I like Anya the best (though I agree people would also assume it's Eastern European etc). I might consider a different spelling for Raina, since I think it could easily be mispronounced (Reyna?).

Have you considered Maya?

OP here. I liked Anya a lot too but although it supposedly has a Sanskrit meaning no one I talked to seemed to consider it an Indian name. Pretty much everyone associated it with being Eastern European and assumed it had no Indian connection at all. I love the name Maya, but I just know so many now that it doesn't feel as fresh and original to me anymore.

PP here, I know two Indian baby Anyas - one in India and one in the US! It is VERY common in India. And I agree, I know so many Mayas of all ethnicities (Indian, Latina, African-American, Caucasian even).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love Raina, Jiya, & Haya

If pronounced "Ran- aah" - It means night. Naina means "eyes"

If pronounced "Ra- aye-na' - it is Indian last name. How will you ensure that people pronounce it correctly?

Jiya can be pronounced as Gia. And it means heart.

Haya means modesty if pronounced "Huh-yaah".

Again, pronunciation is important.

Um, I don't think ANYONE would pronounce Raina either of the two ways you described. I think most people would pronounce it "Rain-ah" or "Rain-uh". Some Indian people might pronounce it "Rye-nuh"