Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

will people know how to pronounce Elena?

64 replies

MrsCharlieD · 05/01/2014 21:32

Hi ladies Im just after some feedback really. We've decided if bimba turns out to be a girl that we will name her Elena. We've shared this with close family and have had people mispronouncing it which had never crossed my mind would happen. so far I've heard e-len-a, a-leen-a and ee-len-ar. Is this a difficult name to know how to pronounce? We have always pronounced it e-lay-na x

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Original poster
MrsCharlieD · 05/01/2014 21:47

Sammie that's where it's from but i read the books a long time before they ever made it a tv series. When i was reading the books i pronounced it e-lay-na in my head. It's meaning is bright one as well which i love x

OP posts:
pussycatmomma · 05/01/2014 21:45

*perhaps not prhas

pussycatmomma · 05/01/2014 21:43

I think of Elena as being the greek form/pronunciation El-ee-nah, are you prahs thinking of pronunciation more like Eleanor (more classic) or Elainer ( basically elaine with er on the end?) Disclaimer - i am no language whizz and have only named boys so far Grin although if dc3 turns out to be a girl i may well be flummoxed. Good luck!

BackforGood · 05/01/2014 21:41

One I know is called Elle-lane-ah with emphasis on the "lane" part, but I'd say it has a lot of potential for people to be unsure or pronounce it wrongly, yes.

Sammie101 · 05/01/2014 21:40

I say E-lay-na, thanks to The Vampire Diaries! Lovely name Smile

onetiredmummy · 05/01/2014 21:39

Ellen-a

HandragsNGladbags · 05/01/2014 21:39

I would say El-en-a

Original poster
MrsCharlieD · 05/01/2014 21:37

Mrsbennett bimba is our nickname for bump x

OP posts:
AuntieStella · 05/01/2014 21:37

Bimba is probably a predictive keyboard error.

I think there are several ways to say "Elena" and I'd try to avoid saying it until I'd heard it said by someone who knows. At least this is one where it's pretty obvious there are a few possibilities.

SS3J · 05/01/2014 21:36

I would pronounce it e-LAY-na unless I knew otherwise, but I did one know an e-LEN-a who was irritated by having her name pronounced 'wrongly'. I think it is a tricky name to be sure how to pronounce, but I wouldn't let that put you off. Once people know they won't get it wrong again. And it is a pretty name.

OddBoots · 05/01/2014 21:36

I'd say E-len-a unless told otherwise.

bugsyclaus · 05/01/2014 21:35

I'd say eh-lay-na. It's lovely.

penguinrachel · 05/01/2014 21:35

I have a friend with the same name and everyone pronounces it elle-en-a (emphasis on the 'elle' bit)

MrsBennetsEldest · 05/01/2014 21:34

I would say e-lay-na. Who is Bimba tho?

Swipe left for the next trending thread