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Baby names

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

Original poster

Selena?

36 replies

permanentlystressed · 03/05/2022 13:44

Thoughts on Selena? Potential nn being Lena (pronounced Lee-na)

Suggested by DH who is set on it and must admit it's far better than his previous suggestion of Senna (yes like the laxative 😂)

I do like it but would not really have considered it without DH's input. I like it but wonder if it's dated, any opinions welcome.

Also any other name suggestions would be great, I like a longer first name for the birth cert and future but do like the option of a nn as a child.

Usually I like more vintage names but can't seem to find any I love.

If relevant, I already have an Adeline (nn Addie)

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ButterRose · 06/05/2022 04:40

I love both Selena and Serena
rare enough that there really isn't a chance of them dating badly and common enough that everyone is familiar with them

Luredbyapomegranate · 06/05/2022 00:47

It’s lovely.

Claudia, Estella, Philippa, Helena, Marina, Julia, Marianne, Genevieve, all have a similar feel to me

Traditionally it’s Selina in the UK, but the more international Selena does seem to be taking over

Fizzyfish · 04/05/2022 16:38

DinoRock · 04/05/2022 14:32

I love it. There was one in home and away I think.

Yes I always loved it since the mid 90s when selina was in home and away!

Helpel · 04/05/2022 16:28

Don't mind Selena but what if your other daughter starts being called Lina as a nickname and prefers it to Addie? Then you'll have two lina's/Lena's Grin

helpmum2003 · 04/05/2022 16:23

Serena is lovely and not used much. With the spelling you give.

Martha another option.

PierresPotato · 04/05/2022 16:21

Oh and I really love Lena or Lina.

PierresPotato · 04/05/2022 16:20

I think it's a good name.
I'd think of the spelling Selina because I'm more familiar with that but I'd soon catch on!

Anotherusernamethisweek · 04/05/2022 15:47

I have a Selina.

No negative comments ever. I like that she has only ever been the only one in the school let alone the class.

We have had to correct spelling occasionally but I've had to do that with all my kids and none of the others have unusual names.

Great name 😊

KayEmAy · 04/05/2022 15:41

I love it! I think it's timeless and surprisingly uncommon!

Elysant · 04/05/2022 15:07

I love Selina more, especially if Selena is pronounced the same. I pronounce Selena like SEL-leh-na

Subbaxeo · 04/05/2022 14:49

Showing my age but Selena was the name of my favourite character from Peyton Place! I like it a lot.

mrsrobin · 04/05/2022 14:33

Very nice!

DinoRock · 04/05/2022 14:32

I love it. There was one in home and away I think.

Neverreturntoathread · 04/05/2022 14:23

KirstenBlest · 03/05/2022 14:06

Spelling issues. Some will spell it Celina, others Selina

Disagree. Have met many Selenas, it was popular with my generation. Never met or heard of the spellings you mention.

IStandWithMaya · 04/05/2022 14:18

Love Selena

Apricote · 04/05/2022 13:26

I like Selene a lot better too.

PumpkinsandKittens · 03/05/2022 20:37

tbf senna is quite pretty sounding if you forget about the laxative 🤣but otherwise no!

midsomermurderess · 03/05/2022 20:31

It sounds a bit Home Counties aspirational to me.

Original poster
permanentlystressed · 03/05/2022 20:20

Thank you for all the input, I'm relieved there's no obvious issues with the name as DH loves it and I love that he's had an input this time around as had no ideas when it came to DD1.

As for Senna, he was adamant it wasn't Sienna and had discovered it in an American youtube video of name ideas along with many questionable names. No issues with the name but can't knowingly name my child after a laxative 😂

OP posts:
SummaLuvin · 03/05/2022 18:08

PumpkinsandKittens · 03/05/2022 18:03

Suggested by DH who is set on it and must admit it's far better than his previous suggestion of Senna (yes like the laxative 😂)

surely he meant sienna?

I go to a gym class with a girl whose name is pronounced Senna, not sure on the spelling as never seen it written down. Don't know her nationality, she is British with a Southern accent, but looks like she is half Middle-Eastern. So it could be a name from a different culture?

PumpkinsandKittens · 03/05/2022 18:03

Suggested by DH who is set on it and must admit it's far better than his previous suggestion of Senna (yes like the laxative 😂)

surely he meant sienna?

Firebird83 · 03/05/2022 18:00

I prefer the Selina spelling.

SummaLuvin · 03/05/2022 16:51

As for the "culturally appropriate" thing, names jump across cultures and races all the time. Jennifer Lopez is Latina but no one criticises her for having a Cornish name.

While I don't think the name Selena would be problematic from a white British family as it is a name that is in wide enough use, I don't think the above is right. There isn't an exact science or rule book for it, but some names would not be appropriate for a white British family to use in my opinion: Vaishali, Aiko, or Tsitsi for example.

Mumofgirls2017 · 03/05/2022 15:11

Selena is nice. Others- Adeline and

serena
marina
mariana
rosalie
tallulah
evelina
ramona
lillian
evelyn
delilah
dorothy
ottilie
penelope
frances
juliet
Eloise

groovergirl · 03/05/2022 15:11

Selena is the moon goddess, so this name would quite suit a very pale blonde. I love Selena. It has never been super fashionable, so therefore hasn't become dated. Just one of those elegant, rather intellectual classics.

As for the "culturally appropriate" thing, names jump across cultures and races all the time. Jennifer Lopez is Latina but no one criticises her for having a Cornish name.

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