View Message

[Opinions] Sasha
I'm trying to name a character and decided to look at some Russian names. Sasha is my current favorite. What do you guys think of Sasha? And (bonus!) what type of person does Sasha make you think of? Do you guys think it'd be better for Aleksandr to be the full name with Sasha as the nn, or just make Sasha the full name?I also liked, to a lesser degree:
Dmitri - called Dima (too associated with Anastasia to me),
Kesha and Luka (doesn't sound quite right),
Sanya and Lev (too soft/short),
Nikita, Nikon, and Rodion (doesn't fit the character well)
Mikhail - called Mishka, Yasha (2nd best), and Yura (could use these)*I should note that the story does not take place in Russia or any other country. It's a dystopian story. I merely like Russian names.

This message was edited 9/13/2024, 9:55 AM

Replies

I like Sasha. I think it's ok on a girl but love it on a boy. I definitely think Aleksandr nn "Sasha" is better than just Sasha by itself. Of course, for story purposes, you don't need to overemphasise that point. It's important to note that if the character is Russian, Russians are nearly never legally called a diminutive name - e.g. you'll not people legally called Sasha, Dima, Misha etc. - and nicknames are more reserved for people who are known personally rather than everyday use - e.g. in many countries, someone called Alexander "Alex" might spend 90% of their life being referred to as Alex by anyone from teachers to dentist receptionists to their best friend, both close associates and relative strangers. In Russia it is (traditionally) seen as overly informal to call someone by a nickname, so Aleksandr would (traditionally) only be called "Sasha" by friends, family etc. but "Aleksandr" by strangers. I don't like Sanya as much as Sasha, but it works for a nn for Aleksandr. I also like "Shura" as a nickname (unisex, although slightly more common for Aleksandra in my experience) and I really like "Shurik" (mostly masculine). I also really love Dmitri nn "Dima".I don't like Kesha or Luka. I like Nikita but mostly associate it with Khruschev, which is stupid because it's hardly a rare name. I don't care for Nikon or Rodion.

... Load Full Message

If the character is male, the full name should definitely be Aleksandr, nn Sasha. As a full name, I like Sasha on a girl.
I like the name Sasha both as a nickname and a full name. As a full name it’s most definitely feminine. I’ve never known a male Sasha other than a Russian boy I went to college with. His name was Aleksandr but everyone called him Sasha. I’ve known a few girls named Sasha who were just Sasha— not Alexandra.

Out of your list I like Dmitri the best.
Is your character Russian in any way? I know it's dystopian, but still. In that case Aleksandr should definitely be the full name, no Russian would name their son Sasha as a full name.I don't mind Sasha, but I feel like it's a bit of a cliché Russian name. I know three Russian men named Aleksandr "Sasha". So it feels a bit boring to me, but it's a solid name. Sasha makes me think of someone who's dependable, loyal and smart.Out of your other options I like Nikita the best. Rodion is nice and underrated, but maybe a bit too much Crime and punishment.

This message was edited 9/13/2024, 11:08 AM

I like it for both genders, but it's better as a nickname for Aleksandr.
I went to school with a male Sasha, whose full name was Alexander (I forget the spelling) and he was a few years ahead of me but lots of girls fancied him. I had a hard time adjusting to female Sashas afterwards even though I've met a few.Don't make Sasha the full name it won't feel authentic.