Mumsnet Talk

Help! I rather like the name Elena (pronounced E-lay-na) but can't help thinking of a particularly hideous woman I know called Elaine and an awful incident involving her and her husband that I'd rather forget.
I'm being crazy, right?! We can't agree on any names but OH suggested Elena ages ago and I said 'no'. But it's a lovely name, just what we're looking for and as I'm due in less than 2 weeks we need all the options we can get!
Will I get over the connection to a woman who I will probably never see again and ,lets face it, is not worth my energy?!
Feel free to suggest other names. Middle name will be Elizabeth (a family name).
Thanks in advance.

you are not crazy, but I wouldn't worry about that connection!

choose the name you like, it will be your baby's name not some random stranger's!

you could go for Helena, close enough or Eleanor, maybe Emily

good luck!

If I was going to have another baby and it was a girl it would be Eleanor.

I know a girl called Elena, but she pronounces it the same as Eleanor. Think it is a lovely name.

My grandmother is called Elena - she is from Italy, and it is pronounced like Eleanor, but more of an 'ah' at the end. No 'lay' in the middle.

Fab name. What about Helena - similar but less like Elaine?

If you don't like the Elaine connection, why not spell it Alaina? Same name, different spelling and less chance of being called "Eleanor"

I like it and it doesn't make me think of Elaine at all. Hope this helps.

Thank you all. Ilikered, I have considered other spellings but I'm not sure... Alayna or Alaina? Or should I stick with Elena?
I prefer it pronounced A-lay-na rather than E-lay-na so an alternative spelling could be a good idea. Any thoughts would be appreciated mumsnetters! As you can tell, with a week & half to go, I am reaching the end of my decision making tether!

My dd's middle name is Elena pronounced ella-nah. I wouldn't think of Elaine.

I like the name Elena (pronounced E-lay-na) or Alaina pronounced A layna (think i actually prefer this spelling and pronouciation). Alayna sounds like a chavvy teen has named their baby it.
Also Alaina Elizabeth, for me, is easier to say than Elena Elizabeth.

I know a little girl called Elina (very similar) and she is adorable.

I have an Elana and have only met one other. Hers is pronounced Eh-Lah-Na.

I knew a horrid Elena (E-lay-na) so that would taint it for me but relevant to you obviously. I prefer Eleanor and think it sounds better with Elizabeth tbh.

*not relevant.

Thank you all. I appreciate all your thoughts. I think Alaina is going on the list along with Alara and Ellena. I'm also liking the Alina suggestion...will see what OH says! Thanks again.

Theportlypinup, I also know an Elana, but have never met another.

Elena is beautiful - perfect ... for me partly because it is the name of the girl in the classic film 'Cinema Paradiso'.
If you haven't seen it please do, it is wonderful - one of my favourite films and the hero falls madly in love with a girl called Elena, pronounced in Italian exactly as you suggest.
Do it and your daughter will have a cinematic namesake to be proud of!
Wonderful name!

Will look into that Greenwing. Thanks!

I like it. No negative connotations I don't think. If I ever have a dd I'm having Eleni (elle-len-e) - another derivation of Helena.

I think you could pronounce this however you like so iif youl like 'a' at the beginning maybe do just spell it as alaina. I knew a latvian girl called elena but she pronounced it eh-lee-na.
Tbh though if this elaine produces bad memories then thats the last thing you want to be reminded of by your child i think even if you changed the spelling you would still be reminded of elaine as you have made a connection between the names now.
Eleanor os gorgeous i love it and had a friend with that name who called herself elfie for short. Always though elfie was such a gorgeous name for a child and teen but eleanor so classy at the same time.

I know 3 elenas but all pronounce el-en-ah ( all eastern European if that makes a difference)