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I love it, but I wouldn't use it for an American child.

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Maybe for a middle name?

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Aeon: I know I came here to kill you...
Trevor Goodchild: That's why you're in a cell.

I think it sounds overly Russian for a girl that isn't. Other Russian names would work fine on an English speaker ... Natasha for example, and I've seen people using Aleksander to be different.

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But Nadezhda is a bit too unfamiliar imo. People would be baffled as to why you chose it, which may or may not matter to you. But pronunciation problems are a given.

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♥Elinor♥

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'Why do people with closed minds, always open their mouths?'

I love Nadezhda especially with Nadia/Nadya as a nickname.

The name is nice, but it would probably be jarring for non-Russian-speakers. Personally, I wouldn't use the name after hearing about Nadezhda Stalin's tragic life. (She was forced to marry Stalin at age 16 and later killed herself)

I was just thinking about this name several weeks ago and find it fascinating. I read somewhere that it's the Russian word for 'hope.' And as for pronunciation problems, it's relatively unheard of so I wouldn't worry about that too much. I don't know Russian, but I'd say na-DEZ-da. Of course, Nadia/Nadya is darling as well if you decide to go that route.

It's one of my favourite Russian names, so pretty. I don't think it would sound odd on a girl that's not Russian, just because it's not of English origin doesn't mean we can't use it =). And I reckon it's pretty easy to guess the spelling of it, and if there is pronunciation problems she could just go by Nadya/Nadia.

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I have a friend named Nadezhda but she goes by Nadia. I didn't believe her when she said she's part Russian, although I guess she goes slightly look it. Her two sister's and one brother also have Russian names.

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Nadezhda is a super lovely name with a lovely choice of nickname: Nadya/Nadia. As for pronunciation, it's pronounced more like "nah-DYEZH-da", but the "nah-DEZH-da" pronunciation would suffice amongst English speakers.

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It might lead to pronuncation problems, but like I've said to others worried about pronunciation, I don't think it's any different than someone naming their child something like Nevaeh or Katlynn that has varied pronunciations. Besides, once you tell people once how it's pronounced, it'll likely stick with them. But possible pronunciation issues shouldn't keep you from using such a lovely name. :) It's different, uncommon and not likely to become another Emma or Madison in popularity.

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As for using it on a non-Russian, I don't think that would be a problem. I know several Tatianas are are anything but Russian.

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This message was edited 12/21/2005, 1:34 PM

Nadezhda is pretty. I'd pronounce it na-dezh-da (the zh pronounced like soft "J" (if only I could talk into the computer!)). It might fit the girl, but if your not in Russia, it might lead to pronounciation problems, so I would probably use it for a mn.

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~Andrew~

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"Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside a dog, it's to dark to read."
~Groucho Marx~

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"Everything's got a moral, if only you can find it."
~Lewis Carroll~

>Would it sound odd on a girl that's not Russian? Would it lead to pronounciation problems?

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Yes, and yes. It's pretty (if it is said the way you think, which I have no clue about), but I would look at it and go "Huh?". I think it's quite bad on a non-Russian girl, since it's so obviously Russian. Elena or Natalia or Tatiana is much less obvious, and would work better IMO.