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Baby names

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Original poster

Help me pick!

41 replies

Runningoutoftime2 · 25/01/2021 13:40

Hello everyone. Need some help with picking a name. I'm due today and my last child was about a week old by the time we picked a name, and I pretty much let dp decide because I just got fed up with myself.

Top of my list is Elaina. I think the more traditional way to spell it is Elena which is lovely but pretty sure where we live people will call her Ellen-a which I don't want. Sounds too much like Eleanor, which as nice as it is, isn't a name I would pick.

Middle name will be Rose after a family member, but will hardly ever be used.

Others on my list are:

Ella (but it's pretty popular here)
Rosa (in this case her middle name won't be Rose)
Romy (again wouldn't have Rose as a middle name)
Lainey (but that could be a nn for Elaina)
Catriona (said the way its spelt)

Opinions please, or suggestions of similar names. I've went through hundreds. Always thought picking a girls name would be much easier, but it's not!

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VenusClapTrap · 26/01/2021 19:50

I like Elaina. I know an Aleyna, pronounced the same. I prefer your spelling though.

Eleni is beautiful.

ILoveStickers · 26/01/2021 11:11

Elaina or Elena are both lovely.

I also know an Eliana.

KirstenBlest · 26/01/2021 10:58

I know one who says it to sound like El-enna.

bourbonne · 26/01/2021 10:08

I think Elena does have more than one "legit" pronunciation. The stress is on the first syllable in Italian (so, more like Eleanor in English), but on the second syllable in Spanish and possibly other languages (so, more like Elaina in English).

babynamelover · 26/01/2021 09:57

The only Elena I've known pronounced it Elaine-uh. I think it's much pretty as Elena.

I love Romy as a nickname for Ramona it was our other option for my youngest.

JemimaTiggywinkle · 26/01/2021 09:50

What about Alana/Alanna?

Chilldonaldchill · 26/01/2021 09:38

I always used to pronounce Elena as Elaina but in the last 20 years everyone I've met with that name pronounces it ellen-a.
I'm in an area with a very large Greek population and they all say it like that plus I've met quite a few non Greek children whose parents pronounce it like that.
I' m not normally a fan of non standard spelling but I think Elaina might be your best bet here (although lots of people might then confuse it with the increasingly popular Eliana).

Runkle · 26/01/2021 01:06

Chiara - pronounced kee-ah-rah
Maya, Camille, Eliana, Amara, Catalina, Ayda, Alina,
Cecilia, Adriana, Ariella, Cecily, Verity

SmeleanorSmellstrop · 26/01/2021 00:41

I love Romy and Rosa.

SmeleanorSmellstrop · 26/01/2021 00:40

Elena is gorgeous and definitely pronounced Elain-a. If anyone says 'Ellen-a' they're simply wrong amd you just need to correft them. I think the spelling Elaina spoils the name a bit.

partyatthepalace · 25/01/2021 21:38

I think Elaina is a fine spelling - it’s just Elaine but with an a, people will get it - and I think you are right OP, it’s the only way you’ll get it pronounced the way you want. I like like Lainey but only as a nn.

Catriona is probably my favourite from your list. It is often pronounced as spelt, even in Scotland.

Rosa is nice. Ella is nice but a bit dull. Romy sounds like a nn to me - maybe Ramona nn Romy?!

Few other thoughts - Stella, Dorey, Caitlin, Robin, Fernanda, Rosanna, Lara, Livia, Adela, Lois

WaxOnFeckOff · 25/01/2021 20:23

Catriona, is definitely meant to be closest to ka tree nah.

Romy is short for Romily?

Elayna rather than Elaina

Elisa?

Original poster
Runningoutoftime2 · 25/01/2021 19:14

I'm in Scotland and have only ever met two Catriona's, one pronounced Katreena (adult), and one pronounced the way it looks (child). I really don't like the Katreena pronunciation, and I suppose she would probably spend her life correcting people, because most will presume Katreena. Unless she prefers that 😂.

Not keen on Cara. I think that sounds a bit harsh.
I agree that Romy and Lainey sound a bit made up, but Lainey was definitely on a couple of "Scottish baby names" lists.

I agree that Elaina, will get confused with Elaine, which is exactly what my mum said, and her reason for not being keen on it.

OP posts:
supersonicginandtonic · 25/01/2021 19:08

My friend had a baby in the first lockdown and she called her Alaina Maria. She's such a beautiful little thing and really suits her name.

YoniAndGuy · 25/01/2021 19:02

I really don't like Elaina - it's just too close to Elaine which is just horrible. Pronouncing it Ellen-ah would be much better!

I'd go with Catriona.

Lainey is awful
Romy ok, bit harsh
Rose too boring.

Cara?

crabette · 25/01/2021 18:47

Yeah, I'm in Scotland and I know a few Catriona's... all pronounced Katrina.

I love Elaina, and Eleni for what it's worth ❤️

JemimaTiggywinkle · 25/01/2021 18:08

I think Rosa is lovely and Ella is nice too.

I don’t like Romy and Lainey personally... feel a bit made up.

I don’t think Catriona is meant to be pronounced as spelled.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 25/01/2021 18:02

I think if you use Elaina she will always have to spell her name, which would be more annoying imo than the occasional mispronunciation (to be completely honest I also think alternative spellings can look a bit downmarket).

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 25/01/2021 17:58

1.Elena - gorgeous and I think the majority of people would know how to say it correctly (it's a popular name in American TV shows)

  1. Ella - nice enough but too overused now
  2. Rosa - I prefer the simple, classic Rose which is underused imo as a first name but Rosa is pretty
  3. Romy - cool but a bit nicknamey (prefer Romola nn Romy personally)
5.Lainey -too nickname for me (for Madeleine or Elena/Helena) 6.Catriona - prefer Catherine or Katharina unless you live in Scotland or Ireland.
bourbonne · 25/01/2021 17:27

To me, Catry-Ona elicits a similar reaction as "See-Oban" or "Royzin".

bourbonne · 25/01/2021 17:20

@KirstenBlest

Catriona isn't pronounced as Katrina, is it? i've only heard it said as Catry-ona.
My understanding is that the stress is on the "i", and then there's a slight "oh" that's glossed over a bit. But in an English speaking context, it's basically Katrina. Much nicer that way too!

(Willing to be corrected by Gaelic speakers!)

DragonPoop · 25/01/2021 17:14

Elaina is lovely!

KirstenBlest · 25/01/2021 16:55

Catriona isn't pronounced as Katrina, is it?
i've only heard it said as Catry-ona.

bourbonne · 25/01/2021 16:52

I wouldn't go with Catriona "said the way it is spelt", because isn't it better known pronounced Katrina? That's how I'd say it, at least.

I think Elaina will often be mistaken for Elaine on paper (although to my surprise, autocorrect let it stand!), but if it's the one you really love, then don't be too put off. Every name has potential issues and some are much worse!

Original poster
Runningoutoftime2 · 25/01/2021 16:08

@micc

I have a friend called Alaina which another nice option. My favourite from your list is Rosa, but they are all lovely x
Ah see Alaina was my first choice of spelling, and I know people might think this is ridiculous, but my eldest has my surname, and this baby and my other child have their dad's surname. If I go with the A spelling then both middle child and baby will have the same first and last initials, and my eldest will have completely different. It sounds a bit ridiculous when I say that, and he may not even notice, but I don't want him to feel like he's being left out.
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