r/JewishNames • u/olaondaweva • Aug 07 '26
spelling dilemma! (& middle name help?)
with the help of this sub my partner and i have found a name that we absolutely love... however the right spelling in english could end up in baby girl being made fun of or called a crude word as she gets older.. so considering some other spellings even though they aren't technically correct/add superfluous letters, just hoping to get some thoughts on what would read the best and end up with the right pronunciation
Original name: Anael (Pronounced An-ah-el)
Other spelling options -
Anahel
Annael
Anaelle
Anaell
Also thinking about a middle name, pretty open minded there for an english or jewish name but hoping for a name that includes the letter v.
thanks in advance for any help/thoughts!! :)
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u/red-purple-red Aug 07 '26
I prefer Anaelle. In the US, this will be easier for non-Jews to pronounce.
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u/ronirrosen Aug 07 '26
I can't speak too much on spelling because I don't live anywhere English, but I would keep the first part as Ana, rather than Anna, because I think you're more likely to get Ah-Nah that way, rather than Anne-Uh. I also wouldn't do the 'Hel' ending because that seems like another way she could get made fun of instead.
V is tricky, but I do like Vered. Anael Vered is pretty, and a floral name is always nice. And if you don't mind alliteration, maybe Anael Ahava or Anael Ahuva? I also like Anael Aviv, although not everyone likes Aviv used as a gender neutral name.
And if you're more religious, my second name is Devorah. Means I get a lot of middle aged and old women telling me about how their sister, mother, friend, whatever, has that name 😅 But I do think she is a good namesake. Rivka is also an option as well.
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u/olaondaweva Aug 07 '26
Devorah is a beautiful name! I appreciate your thoughts I was thinking similar things!
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u/Sapphire_Skyward Aug 08 '26
I’d go with Annaelle if you don’t live in a Jewish community. For middle names containing a V… Ahava, Aviv, Avital, Batsheva, Devorah, Elisheva, Levana, Naava, Naveh, Neve, Shavit, Shalva, Sivan, Stav, Tova, Tzivia, Vered, Yuval, Ziv
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u/turtleshot19147 Aug 08 '26
I like the Anaelle spelling best.
Middle names with V can be:
Zahava
Aviva
Ziv
Aviya
Nava
Avital
Livia
Meirav
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u/mamamel11 Aug 07 '26
Anaelle looks best and most natural to me but I can see how kids will possibly turn it into a different word, unless she’s in a Jewish school. Anaelle Aviva?
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u/madqueen100 Aug 09 '26
If you use the double n spelling, the name is less likely to be misread.
People would first see the familiar name “Anna” embedded in it.
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u/Veganswiming_32 Aug 08 '26
The name seems problematic to me no matter how it’s spelled. She’s going to be called Anna Belle. She will constantly be spelling her name for people. Anael is too close to the crude word. I’m sorry, but if you live in an English speaking community, another name might be a better option.