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Help[Opinions] Re: Agnieszka "Agnia"
in reply to a message by Anya Mel’nik or Mel’nyk
I love Agnieszka! It's a bit of an '80s name but not terribly dated. I know lots of Agnieszkas, mostly born from the seventies to early nineties. Honestly if I was having a daughter right now I would seriously consider this name. The main drawback is that the full form already sounds a bit like a diminutive. Not enough to rule it out though and I actually find Aga charming.
I've never heard of anyone going by Agnia, it's not impossible but it is quite awkward to say, it just doesn't roll of the tongue - the g really doesn't want to stay there and I feel like it would morph into just Ania in quick everyday speech.
I personally, and most people around me would break the syllables as a-gniesz-ka but it doesn't really matter as long as the stress is on the e.
I also find that the distinction between Polish sz and English sh is honestly a bit pedantic, I wouldn't worry about it. The more noticeable difference would probably be the ń vs ny but genuinely not enough for anyone to care that much.
https://www.behindthename.com/pnl/109883
I've never heard of anyone going by Agnia, it's not impossible but it is quite awkward to say, it just doesn't roll of the tongue - the g really doesn't want to stay there and I feel like it would morph into just Ania in quick everyday speech.
I personally, and most people around me would break the syllables as a-gniesz-ka but it doesn't really matter as long as the stress is on the e.
I also find that the distinction between Polish sz and English sh is honestly a bit pedantic, I wouldn't worry about it. The more noticeable difference would probably be the ń vs ny but genuinely not enough for anyone to care that much.
https://www.behindthename.com/pnl/109883
Replies
You are certainly entitled to your opinion that pointing out that sh and sz are not the same sound is pedantic however you cannot really say they ARE the same sound. Personally I find the pronunciation of sz as sh very grating and it is not because I am intentionally trying to be pedantic. It just truly sounds horrible to my ears. Hearing people say names like Agnieszka and Katarzyna are some of their favorites when they can't even pronounce them gets an eye roll from me.