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Baby names

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

Original poster

Alannah Alana or Alanna

63 replies

Sausagedog1 · 03/02/2021 09:43

Just that really... Which spelling is best?
Alannah seems to be more common in Ireland and Alana more common in the UK.
We are living in the UK and have chosen the name for the meaning in Irish (darling child I believe)

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Extrapepperoni · 04/02/2021 12:52

Another one here for Alannah

Ariela · 04/02/2021 12:31

Neither. Prefer Alida, I think it's Swedish/German, and it's unusual but not unheard of and less ways to spell it IMO.
Meaning : Of noble kin. I know one Alida, a friend of a friend, and she is glamorous, intelligent, great sense of humour, very kind and an all round really nice lady.

MarshaBradyo · 04/02/2021 12:25

I’ve only heard Al Lah na

Pronunciation

KirstenBlest · 04/02/2021 12:23

Not seen Frozen, so don't understand. I've heard Let it Go.

Pinkywoo · 04/02/2021 12:19

KirstenBlest

" "Alannah, pronounced a-LAH-na"

Do you say AH-na for Anna"

Bloody Frozen, they finally name a Disney Princess after me and then pronounce it wrong!

KirstenBlest · 04/02/2021 11:42

Alannah, pronounced a-LAH-na

Do you say AH-na for Anna?

partyatthepalace · 03/02/2021 22:58

Alannah is what I’d think of as the most usual and most phonetic spelling and I am in the UK.

I’d expect them all to be pronounced the same - a-LAH-na. Have never heard of alanna pronunciation. So also think this spelling is most intuitive

ladygindiva · 03/02/2021 22:58

Alanah

Original poster
Sausagedog1 · 03/02/2021 22:53

@IamnotwhouthinkIam I think that's why I like it. It's pretty and not too over the top without being too common.
I like that it can be shortened to Ali or Lani or Alan Grin
And it has a nice meaning and a connection to Ireland which we wanted. But it's very new on my list so not 100% sure yet.

OP posts:
IamnotwhouthinkIam · 03/02/2021 22:48

Alana (spelt like this) is lovely. I find the other spellings a bit frilly/fussy. I pronounce it as "ah -lah- na" - I think it's a beautiful, underused name.

littlemisslozza · 03/02/2021 22:46

I like the spelling Alannah the best. Nice name but be prepared - the only one I know is a a teenager and her nickname is Alan!

Cocopogo · 03/02/2021 22:46

I don’t like it spelt any which way but it’s not my baby!

Original poster
Sausagedog1 · 03/02/2021 22:43

Now I'm leaning towards Alana.
Do people like the name? I've looked at so many names I start to lose the ability to decide what I like!

OP posts:
EdgeOfACoin · 03/02/2021 21:08

I like Alana. Pretty without being fussy.

ringydinghy · 03/02/2021 21:05

Alannah is the spelling I am most used to but I like Alana too.

Embarrasedaf · 03/02/2021 20:54

Alanna may be pronounced al-anna. Same with Arianna vs Ariana.

Go for Alana

bourbonne · 03/02/2021 20:50

@Firebird83

I would pronounce them differently. Alannah and Alanna like “a-LAN-a” and Alana “a-LAH- a”

I prefer Alannah.

This.
Firebird83 · 03/02/2021 20:43

Alannah does rhyme with Hannah in Ireland.

YoniAndGuy · 03/02/2021 17:23

Alannah if you must. It's not great though.

samanthawashington · 03/02/2021 13:11

@Sausagedog1

But Alana spelt backwards just says anala. What is that? I know Lana is anal which I would avoid but Anala doesn't mean anything I don't think Confused I am leaning towards the Alannah spelling I think.

I really don't think anyone plays with a name spelling it backwards. That's just bizarre

MarshaBradyo · 03/02/2021 13:07

Alannah

HenriettaHeffalump · 03/02/2021 13:06

Alanna

Original poster
Sausagedog1 · 03/02/2021 12:56

But Alana spelt backwards just says anala. What is that? I know Lana is anal which I would avoid but Anala doesn't mean anything I don't think Confused
I am leaning towards the Alannah spelling I think.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sausagedog1 · 03/02/2021 12:45

Thanks everyone. In terms of pronunciation I say Al-ar-na which I think is the way most people in South England would say it?
DH says Al-ah-na with an elongated a sound. He doesn't get the English way of adding ar sounds in.
I don't mind if it sounds different in different accents, it would be the same for a name like Alexander.
I could say Alannah to rhyme with Hannah but I've never heard it said like that? It's quite nice though. Either way it more or less sounds the same in DH accent so I just need to decide how I want to say it.
I love Lani as a nickname.

OP posts:
LadyWhistledownthe1st · 03/02/2021 12:43

Alana. One in DDs class, never any problems with pronunciation or spelling that I’m aware