Thread: Having trouble spelling some names in russian

Hi,
My family is of russian origin (probably 3rd -4th generation) and trying to hold on to a lot of russian traditions including language, names etc.
Looking back at relatives names, a lot of them aren't as common
nowadays (maybe they still are in Russia??)
Trying to choose some girl baby names but not sure of spelling
Аня/Анна - Anna
Маня - Manya
Параня - Paranya
Are they just shortened names?

Then there are 2 names I really like - Hanya and Hannah
and I have asked someone not long from Russia on the spelling
and they insist on spelling them with a Г not a Х.
but I like the softer Hanya not Ganya sound. (named after a great aunt Ханя who we called Hanya)
(Helen) Ханя not Ганя
(Hannah) Ханна not Ганна
Which is correct?
Also I have been told that Ханя is a derogotory or bad word, but have never heard this before.
Ok hope you understand all that.
Thanks

Аня short for Анна
Маня or Маша is short for Мария or Марья
Параня is a bit derogatory and is not a modern name at all.

Hanna and Hanya are not russian names and are not in use at all, but it is correct to use Г instead of English H in them.

And Helen is Елена or just short Лена.

Анна is the full name, Аня is short.
Маня is a short variant of Мария that is, I think, is used among friends only.
Параня is a short MALE name for Парамон, and it felt in disuse somewhat 100 years ago.

I never heard Ханя nor Ганя. I can't help on these.
Ханна is the common spelling of the western name Hannah. Ганна rings a bell... but I can't think over something suitable that proves the spelling.

Ханя by itself is no derogatory but it is resembling one really bad word whoch is "huinya" that approximately means "bullshit" but much ruder and having a good bunch of shades of meaning.

So, this is what I can go with thus far.

Ганна is actually a Ukranian name, not Russian. In Ukranian, it is pronounces with a fricative "Г", which is closer to H than to G. In Russian, however, it sounds like G. It is actually a version of Anna (both derive from the same Hebrew name). "Ханя" (Hanya) sounds like an Yiddish name to me (don't quote me on it though, it is just an impression). "Ганя" (again, with a fricative "Г") may very well be a Ukranian diminutive of "Ганна", but I doubt many people use it nowadays.

Originally Posted by Rtyom

I never heard Ханя nor Ганя.

Ганя Иволгин is a (male) hero of the Dostoevsky's novell "Idiot". Это которому деньги из камина голыми руками предложили достать.

Originally Posted by Оля

Ганя Иволгин is a (male) hero of the Dostoevsky's novell "Idiot". Это которому деньги из камина голыми руками предложили достать.

Ах, ну да, но в данном случае это от "Гаврила"

Originally Posted by Оля

Originally Posted by Rtyom

I never heard Ханя nor Ганя.

Ганя Иволгин is a (male) hero of the Dostoevsky's novell "Idiot". Это которому деньги из камина голыми руками предложили достать.

Замечу задним числом, что я имел в виду «не слышал», а не «не читал».

Господи, да всех их упомнишь-то...

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."

Параня is a short MALE name for Парамон, and it felt in disuse somewhat 100 years ago.

This is female name. Параня, она же Параша, она же Прасковья.