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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Our favourite name as a horrid connotation - can't think of another. Help!

84 replies

Flowerface · 15/03/2012 09:01

For ages I thought that I would call a second DD Milena, after Milena Jesenska. We both love it. But it turns out that there is a poo-related medical condition called 'Malena' (SP?) which will be everyone's first thought when they hear the name.

Basically, I can't find another name we both like. We would like something reasonably short and uncomplicated, but slightly unusual, and it can't begin with 'F'. Our DD is called Elsa. Any suggestions?

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CaptainHetty · 15/03/2012 12:38

It's a pretty name. I'd personally never have known about the medical condition (should imagine there's a fair few names that could have connotations in that respect, anyway) but who outside of nurses and doctors is really likely to know about it anyway?

Yes they might 'cringe when you shout it across the playground' but, according to what I've read on this and other parenting sites, it doesn't matter what you call your child, there's always someone who disapproves and finds it cringeworthy ;)

fridakahlo · 15/03/2012 12:29

Or how about Cleo or Chloe?

PrisonerOfWaugh · 15/03/2012 12:24

I know a little Malina, think it is a pretty name (Polish I think)

EssieW · 15/03/2012 12:23

What about melaina - different spelling but similar

ItWasThePenguins · 15/03/2012 12:22

Marla?

YouChangeWithTheWeather · 15/03/2012 12:20

I'd think Mirena - and that's what children would call her until they could say the L sound.

hatebeak · 15/03/2012 12:20

How about:
Milla
Julia
Natalia
Lena
Moira
Irena
Marta
Clea

theDudesmummy · 15/03/2012 12:14

Melaena does certainly mean blood in the stool but if few people know that outside of the medical profession then you might consider it does not matter (all doctors and many nurses will know this, but not most other people).
My stepdaughter is called Alexia, which is the medical term for the inability to read. Neither of her parents knew that, until I pointed this it to her dad when she was already a teenager. She knows it now too. I don't think it matters to anyone. She can read very well!

Ephiny · 15/03/2012 12:14

I've never heard of the condition either. I think Milena is a nice name. Or what about Marina/Maria? Elena? Serena?

manicinsomniac · 15/03/2012 12:05

Never heard of the poo thing either

Is the name pronounced Ma-layna or Ma-leena?

If Ma-layna how about: Alayna, Lani or Dana
If Ma-leena how about: Mina, Amina or Lina

qazxc · 15/03/2012 11:26

never heard of the poo thing either so i don't think you should let it put you off.

PercyFilth · 15/03/2012 11:25

I've never heard of the medical term, and I couldn't give a shit :o what some school nurse thinks.

mopsyflopsy · 15/03/2012 10:06

I like Milena (Mee-lena) and have no poo associations whatsoever.

Wigeon · 15/03/2012 10:01

I would never never think of poo in relation to Milena. Nice name. Lots of Poles and other Eastern Europeans round near us and it sounds like an Eastern European name to me - I wouldn't bat an eyelid.

If you like Clio though, go with Cleo - lovely name and no one has mentioned the car when we've told them that's DD2's name perhaps they were just too polite Grin.

LieInsAreRarerThanTigers · 15/03/2012 10:01

Or what about Milana our Melana? Or Leyna or Lana?

LieInsAreRarerThanTigers · 15/03/2012 09:59

What about Jasenka? I know a doctor with this first name. Jessica is prob a bit too popular for you. It is actually pronounced with a 'Y' sound for the J.

HugeFurryWishingStool · 15/03/2012 09:59

Xposted! Ok maybe there are some people who'd cringe at it... Grin

HugeFurryWishingStool · 15/03/2012 09:57

Please don't let it put you off! I had never heard of melena, and I bet most other people wouldn't think of it unless you pointed it out.

Lots of names have strange meanings, eg Candida (thrush), Cecilia (blind), Claudia (lame), in fact my name is only one letter different from a medical term for weakened muscles! And not one person has said anything to me about it.

DorisIsWaiting · 15/03/2012 09:56

x-posted mrsb Smile

DorisIsWaiting · 15/03/2012 09:56

Most medical nurses (as well as doctors) will have heard of melena, it's really loose unpleasant smelly tarry black stools usually as a result of internal bleeding.

Would put me off the name tbh.

mrsbacchus · 15/03/2012 09:53

Sorry, but every nurse (and there can't be many nursery or schools who don't have at least one parent who's a nurse), will cringe when you shout it across the school yard. It's a very common nursey term.

Original poster
Flowerface · 15/03/2012 09:45

What about Selena?

Though Elsa and Selena might be too much 'ssss'

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CherryBlossom27 · 15/03/2012 09:42

Never heard of the medical condition and its not even spelt the same so I wouldn't worry about it. I think Milena sounds Italian...maybe thinking Milan? I like it :)

Ineedadollar · 15/03/2012 09:42

Amelia's the medical term for a missing limb.

Original poster
Flowerface · 15/03/2012 09:39

Is it?! What is Amelia? I know hundreds...

Thanks for the suggestions Stellen!

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