View Message

[Opinions] Deanna
How do you feel about the name Deanna for a girl? I pronounce it “Dee-ANN-uh” and despise the pronunciation “Dee-nuh” with this name. I love the way this name looks, sounds, and isn’t overly popular; I’d say that it would make a great choice, in 2023. I’ve always liked this name, and have never had bad associates; do you feel the same?
vote up1

Replies

I associate the name Deanna with Brenda in my head. Both names are perfectly fine and not unattractive, but are are evocative of a specific era to me, yet continued in relative popularity until well beyond its sell-by date. Deanna is more primed for a comeback, I think, than Brenda.I'd prefer Diana myself, but Deanna is fine.
vote up2
Funny you say; Brenda is one of my favorite girl names! I have to agree that Brenda does sound dated, but the sound and meaning clear that up for me. I also do agree with your feelings about Deanna, though. Oh, and I love the name Diana as well!
vote up1
It's fine, kind of pretty and not overused. I have a cousin named Deana, pronounced with the ANN sound, but my mom always says that looks like it should be dee-nuh which is the name of our great-grandma that she is named after though it was spelled Dena. I think the double n will reinforce that it is to be pronounced with the anna ending.
vote up3
I remember noticing either Deanna or Deana in a list of people born during the Second World War. I'd pronounce Deanna like de ANN a and Deana probably like Dean a. I'd probably not use either, but what I like about Deanna is that it's close to Diana but can't shorted to Di.
vote up2
It's a favorite of mine.
It has a certain lowbrow 60s vibe that I like. A rock'n'roll/hippie name. Casually pretty but not attempting to be "beautiful"
There's a funny song by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds "Deanna" where it seems to be the name of a sidekick on a crime spree or something.
I would never say "Dean-uh" either.
Dunno if I'd name a baby it - I'd have to ask around and see how dated people think it is.
vote up2
I prounouce it the same as you, I like it too
vote up2