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

Elaina/Helaina

141 replies

Barbiequed · 13/12/2015 16:40

I love these 2 names, pronounced this way. I know many mnetters are anti 'made up' name's but I think in this instance phonetic spelling will save them a lifetime of correcting people who call them the other version?

Its not like Feebee for instance...

Please mumsnet guide me!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Ellada19 · 12/02/2021 20:22

@Barbiequed

I love these 2 names, pronounced this way. I know many mnetters are anti 'made up' name's but I think in this instance phonetic spelling will save them a lifetime of correcting people who call them the other version?

Its not like Feebee for instance...

Please mumsnet guide me!

I actually quite like Elaina. While I do prefer standard spellings for most names this looks fine to me. She can say “like Elaine with an A” when folks ask for spelling. If you like it go for it.

I think for Helaina it would be easier to go with Helena and she can just correct pronunciation when needed, the spelling will be extra confusing and won’t help folks pronounce it how you want. I only assume you want it to rhyme with Elaina because I saw them together.

As to folks who say people who use alternate spelling look “illiterate” that’s mean and untrue. I’ve got kids in elementary school and lots of parents, including professionals with graduate degrees, have chosen an alternate spelling for their kid’s name. Sometimes there are cultural reasons, sometimes personal reasons, but it’s common enough that it is no longer something with a stigma. At in my community.

KirstenBlest · 12/02/2021 20:19

I know an Elaina and it never crossed my mind that her name was anything but pretty.

Helaina looks awful, sorry. I understand why you feel it's a better sppelling but it looks wrong,

Ellada19 · 12/02/2021 20:12

@Stirling84

If you want the pronunciation to be unambiguous use an East European spelling like Jelena.
In Croatian that would be pronounced like an English Y in front (like the words “yell in a” smushed together)
Laneyj2021 · 12/02/2021 18:03

6 years later.. I was reading about what my name actually meant and couldn’t believe these comments! Anyway I love my name and wouldn’t change it for the world - Helaina x

Stollenlover · 14/12/2015 14:33

The problem with the names Helena and Elena is that there are 2 ways of pronunciating them, Helayna and Hellena. By spelling them the way you're suggesting you are making the pronunciation clear but you are making your dd have to spell out her name a lot, because most of us aren't used to your spellings. But then, a lot of names have to be spelt out....

SilverOldie2 · 14/12/2015 14:08

Both names would indicate to me that the parents weren't terribly well educated, ie couldn't spell.

Do us and yourself a favour and don't ask if you don't want people's honest opinions. It's pointless getting arsey and saying it's racist is beyond pathetic.

IguanaTail · 13/12/2015 21:36

Snowphlacke

Love it!

pretend · 13/12/2015 21:31

I don't think expecting correct spelling is snobbish at all.

Jw35 · 13/12/2015 21:24

Illiterate is harsh. MN can be harsh, lots of snobs on here! I'm not keen on the two names but I love Elora and know a lovely couple with a toddler with this name.

janethegirl2 · 13/12/2015 21:23

Pretend Xmas GrinXmas Grin

Sleepyfergus · 13/12/2015 21:21

Not at all!!

pretend · 13/12/2015 21:20

Wat doo yoo meen phishee?

Aye goost meen thayt sum peeple wood thinck aye carnt spel yf aye right lyk thys.

Howevva ayem hyyly eddukayted, aye symplyy downt reysponde too urr spellyng norms

Aym alsow a byt off a speshul snowphlacke

janethegirl2 · 13/12/2015 21:20

Sorry, was that bad Fergus Xmas Grin

Sleepyfergus · 13/12/2015 21:19

Jane Smile

janethegirl2 · 13/12/2015 21:18

Took to post 125 to give the op the response she wanted though!

Original poster
Barbiequed · 13/12/2015 21:16

Be posting, I mean, or words to that effect.

And why the he'll would this be fishy? Hmm

OP posts:
Original poster
Barbiequed · 13/12/2015 21:15

Sigh! I feel the need to reply!

I omitted 'my' opinion.

I take on board your views but decided to challenge illiterate. This didn't go down well with the majority. Thats cool but I don't get the responses that suggest I shouldn't been mumsnet.

OP posts:
pretend · 13/12/2015 21:15

Well there you go. A voice from the Other Side Smile

stinkarella123 · 13/12/2015 21:13

I haven't read the whole thread, but I have one of those names, spelt the traditional way, and always wished that my parents had spelt it differently as it is constantly mispronounced and misspelt

pretend · 13/12/2015 21:11

A name is just a name. It's entirely based on opinion.

Why would you ask a strangers view on something that is pretty much entirely about your own personal opinion? Why would anyone else's view matter?

It smells fishy to me...

janethegirl2 · 13/12/2015 21:09

You Barbie are not listening to our opinions. If you are not willing to listen, wtf did you post?

You have already decided to give your kid a godawful name, but want mn to rubber stamp it!

It ain't going to happen Xmas Grin

pretend · 13/12/2015 21:09

Opinion is exactly what you get here.

How odd...

IguanaTail · 13/12/2015 21:06

We are happy to share our opinions.

Original poster
Barbiequed · 13/12/2015 21:06

No one wants to be judged but I can see opinion is not welcome here.

Thats it from me.

Goodnight.

OP posts:
IguanaTail · 13/12/2015 21:03

If you don't want to be judged, don't come on mumsnet and ask people their opinion.

Swipe left for the next trending thread