Help on Girl's Name: Lena vs. Leyna

[optionaltime]

Trying to decide between the names Lena and Leyna (both pronounced LAY-nah). Which do you prefer?

I don't like other pronunciations for Lena (LEH-na and LEE-na) as much as LAY-nah for some reason. I think Leyna has a clearer pronunciation, but I'm afraid it looks a bit made up. Can't decide- both names have good and bad qualities I think!

BQ:
I haven't decided for sure, but I may want Lena/Leyna to be a nickname for Colleen. Is Leyna too big a difference from Colleen to qualify as an actual moniker?

Thanks in advance!

[MN044]

I don't think it works for Coleen at all. But I'd go for Lena. I know a lovely one in real life, and I think the mispronunciation is just something she lives with

[BikeRunSki]

I think it only works as a nn for Colleen if you have the LEE-na pronounciation, and even so it's a bit tenuous. I prefer Lena (LEE-na) of the choices, think Leyna looks made up.

Elena?

[ErikNorseman]

Leyna looks totally made up. Lena is nice. I hate forced nicknames and I think Lena for Coleen is really forced.

[BabyRoger]

I don't think lena is a nick name for colleen.

I've never heard lena pronounced any way other than lee na.

Lana?

[EllenJaneisstillnotmyname]

My grand niece is called Leyna, pronounced Lay-nah, and it's grown on me. But not as a nickname for Colleen, surely, as that has quite a different pronunciation. Her GM is called Elaine, so it's a bit of a nod towards her. Trouble with Helena is that I can be pronounced Hel en ah or Hel ay nah.