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Baby names

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

Original poster

How would you pronounce Lena?

88 replies

WhiteHairReally · 27/06/2018 18:09

So, ‘Mr and Mrs Michael Tindall’ have announced that their nearly new daughter is to be called Lena Elizabeth. Pronounced ‘Lay na’.

I have to admit that I’d have pronounced it ‘Lee-na’ but rather like this alternative pronouncation.

Is she in for a lifetime of initial explanations of how to pronounce her name?

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WaitrosePigeon · 29/06/2018 00:06

Leenah or Lennah

toffee1000 · 29/06/2018 00:04

Names are not always pronounced the way they are spelled FFS, what is with some of you posters? Many names have multiple pronunciations too, mine being one of them. I’m used to both pronunciations and as long as I’m not called something completely different I will respond to either, as I’m sure little Lena will when older.

rosamore · 28/06/2018 23:50

My daughter is Marcelina known sometimes as Lina (Lee-na). So that's probably why I wouldn't jump to that pronunciation.

rosamore · 28/06/2018 23:49

Dh has about 5000 nieces/friends daughters named Lena. Stupidly popular in Germany, pronounced lay-na or leyh-na (the second one is more of lay-na in a German accent though...).

Raines100 · 28/06/2018 23:23

*Mike Tindall ffs

Raines100 · 28/06/2018 23:22

Mike Find all confirms pronunciation is 'Lay-na' and the elder one is pronounced 'Mee-a', not 'My-a'.

foxtiger · 28/06/2018 23:16

Leena if English, Layna if German, Lenna if Polish.

I suppose this kid has some German blood but not much. People are always describing the Queen as German, but as far as I can work out, her last first-generation German ancestor was Prince Albert! So I think if I'd been them and wanted the Layna pronunciation I would have used the Layna spelling.

LillianGish · 28/06/2018 23:13

I’d say Layna, but used to live in Germany where it is quite common. Similarly Elena and also Eva (which living in France I would instinctively pronounce Ava).

eggncress · 28/06/2018 23:03

I have a friend who is called Lena ... pronounced Lenna. Lives on the Med.

JustLurkingAway · 28/06/2018 22:57

The only Lena I've heard of is the esc winner (German). I'd say it's Lee-na, but I would say it depends on the culture. I think the Germans pronounce it Lay-na but quite softly, if that makes sense?

Lovely name either waySmile

AppleKatie · 28/06/2018 22:46

I would prounounce it ‘Lenna’ because that it what the only one I know calls herself.

But I’m prepared to be told I’m wrong! Presumably they will have considered the pronounciation. Congratulations to them.

TatianaLarina · 28/06/2018 22:44

I’ve met Leenas and Laynas - depends which country they’re from.

deste · 28/06/2018 22:32

I know one Lee-na and one Lay-na.

mozzybites · 28/06/2018 01:55

mollyHuaCha she was the first person I thought of. Hence lean a is how I think of saying it. I have always thought of it as a sad name but without that connection it isn't.

notangelinajolie · 28/06/2018 01:47

I know a Lena an she is a Lee-nah. So that is the way I would say it.

But as far as I am concerned, Zara and the rugby man can pronounce it how they like - she is their daughter so it's up to them. It's a nice name and so is Mia.

DeckSofa · 28/06/2018 01:40

Lee-na

2up2manydown · 28/06/2018 01:30

Elizabeth is one of Zara’s middle names. Par for the course for the royals I guess.

MrStarkIDontFeelSoGood · 28/06/2018 01:20

Isn’t Lena as in Dunham pronounced Lee-na but Layna in the states

SleepingStandingUp · 28/06/2018 01:09

I like the pronunciation but not the spelling and thought initially it rhymed with Tena, as in the pads.

Its sweet she's got Zara's granny's name for middle

2up2manydown · 28/06/2018 01:05

I don’t like it very much actually. Mia and Lena Tindall don’t exactly roll off the tongue.

Mia
Lena
Savannah
Isla

Princess Anne’s grandchildren. Not very Windsorish but then Mrs Michael Tindall (as she is now perplexingly named) is a private citizen and can do as she likes.

Wildlingofthewest · 28/06/2018 01:03

Lee-nah

2up2manydown · 28/06/2018 01:01

It’s Lee-na. If they wanted to call her Layna, they should have written it that way. Hmm

Joeybee · 27/06/2018 23:16

I would've say 'Lee-nah' and thats the problem with names like this, it's never clear how the pronunciation should be, setting your child up for a lifetime or correcting people and spelling out their name.

WatermelonGlitter · 27/06/2018 23:04

I've never heard a British person pronounce it Layna!

MollyHuaCha · 27/06/2018 22:59

Anyone remember Lena Zavaroni?

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