3rd girl with required challenging middle name

[jaderain]

Congrats, but I think you should keep her name as is. She's already four and as already formed her idenity. I'd nix the nickname Nastia right away though. Again, congrats and good luck.

[meetcute]

Have none of you heard of Nastia Liuken, American World and Olympic gymnast? She is gorgeous and beautiful and a worldwide star...it has never once occurred to me that her name is psychologically damaging. Sometimes I think baby namers read WAY more into thinks than necessary.

[claireelise]

What about: Anais, Hannah, Tasha, Sasha...

[stripedsocks]

What about: Anais, Hannah, Tasha, Sasha...

Sasha is a boy name in Russia, I think to say "your name isn't Nastia anymore, its Sasha" will be like saying to an American four year old girl "your name isn't Hannah anymore, its Jake." Confusing on more than one level.

Natasha or Natania/Natanya is sort of close to Nastia? Or Natalie/Natalia.

I would really like to see Anastasia kept in first name position though. I know four Russian-American Anastasias, one goes by Anastasia and two by Stacy/Stacie. It's not that big a deal, at all, and two of them grew up going to American public schools.

[l in boston]

For what it's worth, I went to school with a girl named Stacey who hated her name so much she decided to go by Nastia instead. So you never know.

Anastasia is such a gorgeous name. I do hope you keep it as the primary one, whatever nickname you decide to use! I think that Nastia Liuken could be a fabulous namesake, and (speaking as someone who also has a very uncommon, ethnically marked name) I think it's way more important that she feel comfortable and accepted being herself, heritage and all, as part of your family (which I'm sure you'll do everything to make sure she will!), than that she have a name that sounds exactly like all her peers.

[mydearcuriosity]

Anastasia Cate is beautiful! Love the nn Anna Cate. Or you could maybe use Nia or Nina as others have suggested. I wish you lots of happiness with your little girls : )

P.S. Maybe the best and least stressful way would be to officially name her Anastasia Cate then find what nn fits best later as you get to know her better.

[characternamer]

Anastasia Cate is beautiful! Love the nn Anna Cate. Or you could maybe use Nia or Nina as others have suggested. I wish you lots of happiness with your little girls : )

P.S. Maybe the best and least stressful way would be to officially name her Anastasia Cate then find what nn fits best later as you get to know her better.

I agree, just officially name her Anastasia Cate and decide with her what her "American name" can be. From Anastasia, you could get Anna, Annie, Anne, Stacy, Tasia, Asta/Aster, or keep Nastia.