Laina or Layna

[Pinkangel23]

Hi,

Currently pregnant with girl due in September. After much discussion my partner and I have finally agreed we like the name Laina- to go with Scottish surname. However he prefers spelling Layna which I'm not so keen on. We haven't had very good reaction to the name from family so just wanting to hear others thoughts, thanks

[MokunMokun]

Is the pronunciation the same? I think Layna is much easier to pronounce. A lot of people would struggle to know how to read Laina I think.

[mayaknew]

I think it looks lovely both ways . However I'd go with Layna simply because looking at it you can see right away how to pronounce it without thinking about it . Whereas Laina I think doesn't look so obvious at first . Iykwim ?

[mayaknew]

Xpost Mok

[MokunMokun]

Funny we both said the same thing!

[sweetpeame]

Is it pronounced as it's written ie Lay-na? I've never heard it before. Pretty name though. I think I prefer the Laina spelling.

[SirChenjin]

I'd go with Laina - Lay is not a good shortened name for a woman.

[turdfairynomore]

I also know a Leyna!

[Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost]

Laina. I think most people know anything spelled with an AI sounding is pronounced A.

[scatterthenuns]

I've only ever seen it spelled Laina.

[MamaLazarou]

Never heard of it but it's lovely.

[Sophronia]

I know one who spells it Lena, pronounced 'lay-na'

[barbecue]

If I saw Laina I'd assume it was pronounced La-EE-nuh.

[RiverTam]

Never heard of it, I have to say that however you spell it I would assume it's made up.

[Pinkangel23]

Thanks for your replies. I originally wanted Lena, although I thought she would just be called Lee-na which I'm not keen on. I agree Layna probably is easier to pronounce but I do prefer Laina. I have a fairly uncommon name which no one can spell or pronounce so Laina seems a bit unique (apparently Nordic )but not too unusual to me. Another 8 weeks to convince partner!

[MokunMokun]

I think Lena is more well known at the moment due to the Game of Thrones actress.

[Drquin]

I know a Laina, and she / we pronounce it the same as I'd assume you'd say Layna.
TBH, it's what you get accustomed to ..... Laina seems more obvious to me because I know one, but not for any more logical a reason!

[Sallyhasleftthebuilding]

I also know a laina .. short Elaina. easy really. Not keen on the Lay bit either ..teens are cruel.

[IHeartKingThistle]

I know a Lena short for Jelena. I'd know to say Layna if I saw Lena.

[PallasCat]

I'd only think of Lena being a name on its own. With GoT and Lena Dunham I think pronunciation shouldn't be a problem really.
I'd see Laina as a short form for Alaina or Elaina as pps have said. Likewise with Layna, but again... Lay looks like a recipe for teenage taunts to me...