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Baby names

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

Original poster

I think I'm in love..

32 replies

strawberryyDaiquiri · 04/07/2014 17:51

But "traditional name loving" family think I'm bonkers.

I've loved the name Helena for a long long time and a few days ago DH and I were discussing potential nn's. We know that nicknames usually just sort of "happen" but I think Laney is such a nice name. Originally we wanted Helena pronounced Helen-ah but we thought if we use Hel-ay-nah then Laney could be a really nice shortened version. What do you think of Laney? Is it too cutsie? I'm not really a fan of frilly cutsie names but it sounds like more of a strong cutsie name IUSWIM.

My DH also really likes Lenny and I thought he was mad at first but I love Ronnie, Bobbie, Billie etc and I'm falling for Lenny too!

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GingerRodgers · 06/07/2014 13:41

I hope I'm right in saying this! Léan is the Irish for Helen and pronounced Lane (or layn if you like) so it's not too far fetched at all!

IHeartKingThistle · 06/07/2014 10:22

I've just remembered that someone I know has a daughter called Eleni - pronounced Elainey. It's a foreign name of some description I think - I always thought it was pretty.

burgatroyd · 05/07/2014 18:32

Which name do you prefer, op?

I like the Laney sound. I like Delaney and I once met a Greek woman who pronounced her name, Eleni, like Elaney (though I know many prn this name LNE). I also know Laney is a nn for Elaine, which has gone out of fashion right now.

It is a good name in its own right. I doubt you'd have much mn approval on just having it as BC name. Lacey, which sounds similar but has a different feel, is a name in its own right.

However if you've always loved Helena you may regret not going for that. This could be a fad...
Or inspired!

My OH calls dd2 Laney. I call her by her full name as its only one syllable more.

Poussay · 05/07/2014 12:52

I love Helena as Helen-a, less keen on Hel-ay-na though if you're wanting to use layney I do think the latter makes more sense.

Nereida · 04/07/2014 23:14

Also, Helena nn Laney is definitely better than just Laney.

Nereida · 04/07/2014 23:13

I like Lena, Leni, Laney, Nelle and Heli as nicknames for Helena. I would still use the Hel-en-a pronounciation with the nickname Laney. I don't like it said Hel-ay-na.

Original poster
strawberryyDaiquiri · 04/07/2014 22:17

very confident to go for it now :) thanks everyone. I'm even tempted to go for straight Laney instead of Helena...thoughts on that? Maybe Helena would give her more choices for later life.

OP posts:
nikki1978 · 04/07/2014 21:55

Laney reminds me of that 90's film Shes All That. It was the main characters name. I like it :)

squoosh · 04/07/2014 21:51

Actually my Granny was a Helena/Lena

AnnaBegins · 04/07/2014 21:49

My friend's DS is called Lane so I see it as a boy's name, but love Hel-ay-na!

squoosh · 04/07/2014 21:46

I think Laney/Lainey/Leni as short for Helena is lovely and not too frilly at all.

Hardly off the wall enough to shock family members.

DitzyDonkey · 04/07/2014 21:41

Think not hunk

DitzyDonkey · 04/07/2014 21:41

I hunk Nell is a much nicer nn!

burgatroyd · 04/07/2014 20:04

Florascotia, where have you been!

Angelto5 · 04/07/2014 20:00

My auntie calls me laney also my late dgf did too. (But my full name isn't Helena). Also the main character in she's all that (played by Rachael Leigh Cook) is called laney GrinSmile
So 2 thumbs up from me. Smile

weatherall · 04/07/2014 19:58

The only nn I've ever heard a Helena called is hell.

florascotia · 04/07/2014 19:48

Pron of Leni varies - can be from 'Leh-nee' (closer to original) to 'Laine-ee'

burgatroyd · 04/07/2014 19:24

PS think leni is prn Laney.

burgatroyd · 04/07/2014 19:16

My dd2s nn is Lanie or Miss Elainious! So happy to read this thread!

Original poster
strawberryyDaiquiri · 04/07/2014 18:48

yay pleased it's getting such good feedback! middle finger to the family. I can't be too harsh I suppose everyone has their own taste! My DM loved Helena then when I told her we were thinking of nn Laney her jaw dropped! My Ddad just kept saying "but that isn't a name!" Made me doubt it for a while but it feels like when you find the perfect wedding dress for me.

OP posts:
IHeartKingThistle · 04/07/2014 18:47

I think Heidi Klum's daughter is Leni.

florascotia · 04/07/2014 18:21

I know a Helena nn Nell

And lots of Helen-based names have Leni as nn. Laney is very close.

nyldn · 04/07/2014 18:16

*winona

nyldn · 04/07/2014 18:14

love laney! reminds me of wining ryder's character in reality bites, lilaina. lenny is great too, you can't go wrong!!!

CuppaHorlix · 04/07/2014 18:09

I love it!! Heidi Klume's daughter is Helene and I heard her refer to her as Laney in an interview once and thought it was gorgeous. Then in another interview it sounded more like Lenny so I'm not sure which it actually is lol but I think both are really nice. Lane by itself is sweet as well.

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