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Original poster

Thoughts on Marlena . . .?

43 replies

Honeybee79 · 27/08/2016 17:24

And Marla or Marly for short?

Thanks!

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BikeRunSki · 30/08/2016 04:31

No one else associates it with 'Fight Club" ?????

Teapot13 · 30/08/2016 04:26

Marlene Dietrich's name was shortened from Marie Magdalene. Maybe a bit overwhelming but longer name might give more neutral options if you're unsure about Marlene.

katemess12 · 28/08/2016 11:25

Like it. Reminds me of Marlene Dietrich (it was pronounced Marlena).

Arborea · 28/08/2016 10:54

I love it. My first association is with the song too, and I think it sounds cool, strong and unusual. I love it so much I might mention it to OH as a possibility if DC2 is a girl, though I suspect it's not mainstream enough for him!

Iwasjustabouttosaythat · 28/08/2016 10:41

Like sands through the hourglass...

It's not just me, is it?

FrancisCrawford · 28/08/2016 10:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Honeybee79 · 28/08/2016 09:45

I wouldn't mind it not being shortened. Marlena in full is lovely but nice to have the option to shorten. She can then have options etc when older.

DH feels conflicted about it anyway, so not sure I will get it onto the shortlist!

OP posts:
LippyLiz · 28/08/2016 09:20

Not keen, I like Marlena Dietrich but if you're going to call her Marlena don't instantly shorten it otherwise what's the point. My STBXH called his son a name but instantly shortened it. At the beginning of each school year he'd be called by his birth name which caused him embarrassment as that was a name he'd never been called and he didn't like it

TrainWrecka · 28/08/2016 09:15

Its lovely pronounced 'Mar-lay-na'.

Makes me think of Marlena Shaw.

You can't get much cooler than that!

grannytomine · 28/08/2016 09:14

For my generation it brings back memories of Beryl Reid and a comedy character she did called Marlene. So yes the Only Fools and Horses thing will die out.

Meeep · 28/08/2016 09:11

I really like it - it's a very pretty sound, I like Malina too.

In twenty years time absolutely nobody will be saying "Oh like that woman on Only Fools and Horses?". I absolutely wouldn't worry about that aspect at all.

caffelatte100 · 28/08/2016 09:09

love it, don't think it's outdated. It's very pretty.

MrsGsnow18 · 28/08/2016 09:05

I don't think it would be pronounced nicely where I live!
Marla I think is nicer

MargoReadbetter · 28/08/2016 08:53

Isn't there one in Hollyoaks?

user7755 · 28/08/2016 08:51

Yep, only fools and horses here too

MamaDuckling · 28/08/2016 08:50

Malene (pronounced Mal-ena) is a nice Skandi version

cahcah · 27/08/2016 23:59

Lovely. Think it would get abbreviated to Lena, maybe...

RainbowDashstolemyidentity · 27/08/2016 23:44

Thanks Ipitythepontipines i knew one of her songs was about abuse, in that case Marlena is lovely Smile

IPityThePontipines · 27/08/2016 23:41

Marlene on the Wall is about Marlene Dietrich franklycurious.com/wp/2011/12/15/the-meaning-of-marlene-on-the-wall/

Rainbow - I think you are thinking of Luca, which is about child abuse.

Back the OP, I like the name.

squoosh · 27/08/2016 23:39

She was one of the lucky ladies he married.

Thoughts on Marlena . . .?
squoosh · 27/08/2016 23:38

Marla is nice but has an unfortunate Donald Trump link.

Marla Maples.

PotatoBread · 27/08/2016 23:37

Marla much better IMO. Like others have stated Marlena makes me think of Marlene in Only Fools and Horses. I would pronounce it Mar-lean-a

RainbowDashstolemyidentity · 27/08/2016 23:28

I thought the Marlena on the wall - Susan vega song was about a domestic abuse victim?
Not the happiest song!
My DD is called Mara, I love it & it suits her!

squoosh · 27/08/2016 23:24

Only Fools and Horses character was pronounced Marleen. Or Mah-leeeeeeeeeeeeeen.

ThePinkCat · 27/08/2016 23:22

Very 80s. Outdated. Only Fools and Horses.