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Mariska is already a nickname for Maria. In it's country of origin it has a downmarket peasant vibe. Masha is also a nickname. I'm from eastern Europe and I can't see either one as stand alone name.

I love Masha, but only as a nickname for Maria / Marya / Mariya. A nickname for Mariska would be odd since it would be a nickname of a nickname.

I think Russian pet forms of names work well in English speaking countries because Russian pet forms are much longer generally than the original name (In this case Mary = Masha) and therefore they look like a full name anyway. I think Masha is cute and could work quite well. If you decide you like Mariska better I think it could work as a nn.

I've always kind of like Masha. I think it could stand on it's own. But then again I do like it as a nn. But I'd rather see it as a full name.

I can't say I care for it, esp. not if it's a name on its own. It just makes me think of mashed potatoes or someone from Boston saying "Marsha" (or even worse, 'Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!' from the Brady Bunch, lol). I think Mariska is gorgeous, though, and it could definitely work as sometimes-nn for that.

You think Masha is cute? I'm thinking mash potato.

I know a Miriam Maryasha who goes by Masha. Nms.