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Baby names

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

Original poster

Can I call my daughter Eleni...

28 replies

Elbugly · 03/04/2020 14:56

... when my name is Eleanor?
I know I can but should I?
My OH is Greek so we've been looking at Greek names too and we are in love with Eleni but having second thoughts because of the similarities to my own name.
We already have a Theo.
Btw I go by Eleanor not Nella or Ellie or Elle.
Surname begins with D.

Other possibilities:
Thalia
Lucy
Athena
Tia
Ophelia

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MikeUniformMike · 04/04/2020 20:17

Thalia - is is Tahl-ya? Thahl-ya? Thale-ya? no
Lucy - love it
Athena - very nice but you'll need a short version
Tia - Aunt? Thanks in advance. No. Sounds like tear
Ophelia - no. I know one adult one but UK pronunciation (Oh feel ya) is too dodgy.

HermioneWeasley · 04/04/2020 20:10

Yes, it’s a different emphasis to Eleanor so sounds quite different

paintfairy · 04/04/2020 20:07

How is Eleni pronounced? Is it like said above - like elaine but with an ee sound on the end? Never heard it before.

Anyway- I don't think it sounds like your name if you go by no nicknames. Neither do I think it's 'vain'. I like a girl's name similar to my other halves name (don't like his mind 😂) and I wouldn't not use it for that reason. Why does it matter? I just like the name.

I admit the same initial thing could get annoying though with post. But then how much post will we even get in 10 years time? Get hardly any now, its all online!

MikeUniformMike · 04/04/2020 18:21

OP, use it.
I know mothers and daughters with the same first name or very similar (think Alison and Alice or Betty and Lizzie) first names and I don't think it was vanity. I know several men with the same name as their father - usually tradition not vanity.

If you pronounce Eleanor are Ellen-OR or ELinor, it is still quite different from the ElAINey sound of Eleni.

VenusClapTrap · 04/04/2020 18:05

I wouldn’t. Comes across as a bit vain.

Thalia is nice - it’s a beautiful variety of daffodil.

IVflytrap · 04/04/2020 17:30

While I love the name Eleni, I do think it's too similar to your own name, unfortunately.

I like Thalia and Athena.

There's also:
Eirene
Ariadne
Ianthe
Ione

diddlediddle · 04/04/2020 15:24

Really surprised by everyone saying it's fine... to me they are far too similar. I really like your other options though, especially Athena.

Twelve8Ts · 04/04/2020 14:47

Eleni is lovely! Go for it

MikeUniformMike · 04/04/2020 13:54

Pronounced differently though.

mamansnet · 04/04/2020 13:45

Eleni is also Welsh for 'this year'!

Lincolntia00 · 04/04/2020 13:33

My name begins with T as does my mums. Getting mail addressed to a Miss T Surname was confusing and annoying. I remember my mum once opened my teenage chlaymydia results letter, yaay - not kidding. I'd reconsider on that alone.

Love Lucy spelt Lucie. LOVE Ophelia!

Longdistance · 03/04/2020 21:21

No. Change the first initial.

My dB is L junior, df was L senior.

Post was always opened for each other, it was a pita.

TerrifiedandWorried · 03/04/2020 21:20

Eleni lovely. How about Iliana?

newreality1 · 03/04/2020 21:19

Eleni is just beautiful. I would definitely use it if you both love it and I really don't think it is too similar to be honest. Just a really beautiful name.

LittleLittleLittle · 03/04/2020 21:17

Having the same initial and lastname as you will cause issues when she is older e.g. you won't know who letters are addressed to as some companies call all women "Ms"

GirlCalledJames · 03/04/2020 21:15

For me it’s too similar. Thalia is a beautiful name (assuming it’s pronounced like the muse and not like Talia).

paperandfireworks · 03/04/2020 21:13

Eleni is perfect! Go for it

LillianGish · 03/04/2020 18:53

My DD and I have names that start with the same letter and have same number of syllables - they are not really similar yet some people still mix us up. I think if you call her Eleni you will get this, but who cares? I quite like it actually! And Eleni is a lovely name.

Thefaceofboe · 03/04/2020 18:46

I know an Eleni. Love it

SelfIsolationMeansMorePeppa · 03/04/2020 16:36

I think it's fine too, I dont think they are too similar.

DramaAlpaca · 03/04/2020 16:34

I think it's fine, they are quite distinct names.

My own name is similar in sound to one of my DC's and I don't think anyone has ever noticed, or if they have they've never said anything.

Palavah · 03/04/2020 16:06

Eleni is lovely - go for it.

If you're not comfortable you could use Irene (pronounced traditionally as 'eye -reen-ee') or Ireni?

MikeUniformMike · 03/04/2020 16:04

Of course you can call her Eleni. It doesn't sound that similar to Eleanor.

ChewChewIsMySpiritAnimal · 03/04/2020 16:00

I like Thalia Eleni Surname.

ChewChewIsMySpiritAnimal · 03/04/2020 16:00

Way too similar. All the others are just as nice.