but I hate it :(

[c@29]

I like Aya, it's japanese to me and I never relate it to ire.
But I agree with anyone. She is your baby, you're the one who will give birth to her. If you don't like it, don't use it.

I also thought about Anya and Ayla. Or maybe Mia. A bit to far but has the same ending sound.
You can also call an Amelia by Aya.

[taz]

Freya, Raya, Rya, Briar, Ayla, Ayelet, Iona, Ione, Ira, Gala, Shay, Charla, Carla, Kaia, Kayla, Layla, Lila, Leila, Leela, Lana, Mya, Maya, Myra, Naya, Sula, Samara, Tyler, Vera, Zara?

[meogan]

Don't name your child something you can't stand. I know your husband loves it, but in my opinion each parent has veto power. Use yours.

[ashthedreamer]

I love Aya, actually! I think it sounds very nice. I always thought Violet (while the appearance isn't there, the sound is, at least, with my accent, when you draw Violet out...) and Ayelet (ah-yeh-let; Hebrew name meaning "dawn"--love this!) would be very nice ways to get Aya/Aia.

There's also Maya/Amaya, Kaia/Kaya, Isla, Naya/Anaya, etc...

With my accent, the "ire" and Aya thing aren't a problem at all... since Aya is EYE-ah and ire is EYE-uhrr/EYER... but I can see your concern if ire and Aya sound the same. I agree with @meogan, though--if you hate Aya, tell him! You shouldn't have to name your daughter a name you don't like. If you do fall in love with a name that could yield Aya, would it bother you, him wanting to call her that all the time? It doesn't seem fair that you'd have to bend over backwards finding an Aya name for him if you'd be miserable hearing it all the time. You both deserve to find a name you both love equally!

Good luck!

[mrstrivette]

Don't name your child something you can't stand. I know your husband loves it, but in my opinion each parent has veto power. Use yours.

I totally agree. It's not THEE name if one parent can't stand it. No point in using a name that will make you cringe every time you say it. That could cause you to have post partum depression.

[zettie]

How about Alaya, Jenaya or Kaya... has a unique ring to it and he can call her Aya as nn.

[meetcute]

There are very few times in your life that you get to name your baby girl(s) and so many creative, inspiring, gorgeous names to pick from...and he wants to waste it on Aya? I say on it's own, it's not much of a name nor is it special. Ayelet on the other hand, is my second favorite girls girls name of all time. I say use Aya as a NN at best.

[shaymin2]

I think Aya is darling. I like the suggestion of Soraya and Ayelet.

[mrsbethg]

I love all the alternate suggestions everyone has given...but I agree, if none of those alternates thrill you and you hate that name, you absolutely can not use it. You can't name a precious child of yours a name you can't stand, and you husband has to respect that. You both need to find something you can agree on, there are so many names out there, you will find one you both can love1

[sugarfoot]

Aya has been on my brothers list since he was 5 years old but he spells is Aia. I think Aya is very cute. Maybe you could go with Ayana? Aiana? Saia?