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Help[Opinions] Could I use these names in the USA
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I grew up with a Sasha (m) he had no issues. I think people are familiar with Valeriy from famous athletes, and it's pronounced so differently to Valerie.
I'm not a sports fan, but if you google famous people names Valeriy, many of them are Russian/Soviet sports stars, mostly Hockey.
Sasha is well-known as a male Russian name, though I think it’s typically a nickname for Aleksandr. Valeriy might be mistaken as Valerie sometimes, but its spelling is distinctly Slavic.
I met a male Sasha and have associated it with males ever since.
It's def appropriate if the child has a Slavic surname.
I think most/many Americans know Sasha can be masculine. I have no connection with Russia, and it was one of my favorite masculine names in the early 2000s. I associate athletes probably.
I like Valeriy. I don't think it seems more feminine than Valentin (which mainly seems European to me) or Hillary (and I have met a male Hillary born circa 1989; it was fine, not effeminate seeming, just a bit quirky and old-fashioned, which fit him perfectly).
It's possible immature middle schoolers would make fun of their names, but that's possible for almost any name. My name was in the US top 50 when I was born, and I still got jokes about it in middle school. Most younger kids think names are fun in a nicer way and most adults won't care about names or are respectful of cultural differences (in superficial interaction anyway).
I like Valeriy. I don't think it seems more feminine than Valentin (which mainly seems European to me) or Hillary (and I have met a male Hillary born circa 1989; it was fine, not effeminate seeming, just a bit quirky and old-fashioned, which fit him perfectly).
It's possible immature middle schoolers would make fun of their names, but that's possible for almost any name. My name was in the US top 50 when I was born, and I still got jokes about it in middle school. Most younger kids think names are fun in a nicer way and most adults won't care about names or are respectful of cultural differences (in superficial interaction anyway).
This message was edited 4/28/2025, 12:52 PM
Do you mean more used? Or have you heard Valeriy not being accepted? Valentin seems European to me (or else old-fashioned like Valentine); I'd imagine it's primarily being used by Hispanic people in the US - nothing wrong with that, but it doesn't make it seem more familiar to me than Valeriy so far, since I haven't met one. I like Valentin but feel like Valeriy has less baggage because it's not associated with Valentine's Day.
I'd use Valerian over Valeriy, but I think someone has to like plants names for that.
I'd use Valerian over Valeriy, but I think someone has to like plants names for that.
This message was edited 4/28/2025, 6:12 PM
Not used- more people will understand it as a male name and accept it.
My experience is that many people assume "een" names are probably feminine if they hear them without seeing the person, with the exception of Constantine. It could be regional. I don't think that makes Augustine or Valentin seem effeminate, though, just ambiguous. I also feel like some people would recognize the iy ending as being like Dmitriy.
This message was edited 4/28/2025, 1:09 PM
I love in a Francophone area and most (non Russian)?Sasha’s I know are male. I don’t understand the popularity of this name though, it’s very nicknamey.
Valeryi does sound very much like Valerie.
Valeryi does sound very much like Valerie.
This message was edited 4/28/2025, 11:11 AM
It is pronounced Vuh Larry in Slavic countries.
It's possible he'd get called Larry by a few people.
I might assume they were girls at first, but in the USA, many people use name from different cultures. I think it’s fine.
People in the USA are very accepting of foreign names. Even if they weren't, that shouldn't stop you! Definitely use those names if you feel inclined.
Sure. The similar Valerie is a girl's name, but it's not terribly common anymore, and if a child is clearly Slavic, people would probably understand that it's a cultural name and not literally the name Valerie.
Sasha is an uncommon name as well, and there's some precedence for it being known as a male name (Sacha Baron Cohen) so it would be fine too.
Sasha is an uncommon name as well, and there's some precedence for it being known as a male name (Sacha Baron Cohen) so it would be fine too.
I'm not American, but if you are in any doubt, then rather be careful and use them as middle names. At present it seems to be getting more and more possible to give boy names to girls and, to a lesser extent, vice versa, but who knows how long the fashion might last?