Eleni? | Mumsnet

Babynamehelp2023 · 2023-07-25T21:49:50+00:00

Is it ok to use the name Eleni if I am not Greek but absolutely love the name?

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CuttedUpAvocadoPear · 28/07/2023 23:17

Entaxi · 28/07/2023 18:54

This.

why do so many English people declare “well my name’s Hebrew so…” when their name is Sarah or something 😂 almost all our words have roots in another language (mainly Latin) - it’s not the same!

but anyways, guess I’ll just go ahead and call my white, Christian son Ahmed cause it’s a nice name.

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I think it's lovely when names are shared across cultures though. I have a name of a different culture from my own and yeah I do get asked whether I'm of that nationality but I don't mind. As a child I did feel a little odd but I had a lot of bullying and abuse as a child and I think I was uncomfortable about standing out. I like my name being a bit different now!

headcheffer · 28/07/2023 19:02

Aw my midwife with DD1 was called Eleni. Lovely name!

Entaxi · 28/07/2023 18:54

narrichi · 27/07/2023 09:43

I just want to say, there is a difference between Anglicised/Latinised Greek names like Helen, Chloe, Phoebe, Philip, George etc and modern Greek names like Eleni, Irini, Kyriaki, Konstantinos, Dimitris, Giorgios etc. The latter have a specific cultural vibe and I would assume some connection to the modern country of Greece.

That said, I don't particularly think it is offensive to use a modern Greek name if you are not.

This.

why do so many English people declare “well my name’s Hebrew so…” when their name is Sarah or something 😂 almost all our words have roots in another language (mainly Latin) - it’s not the same!

but anyways, guess I’ll just go ahead and call my white, Christian son Ahmed cause it’s a nice name.

liveforsummer · 27/07/2023 23:40

I don't think Eleni is comparable to konstantina, Kyriaki etc as it's only a letter or sound different to many typical British names.

reelcat · 27/07/2023 21:46

Gorgeous name, of course it is fine to use it!

Wxyandz · 27/07/2023 19:47

Lovely name. I’d assume a Greek connection but I don’t think it’s unusable if you’re not Greek, as long as you’re prepared to be asked about it. The Eleni I know gets called Leni.

narrichi · 27/07/2023 09:43

I just want to say, there is a difference between Anglicised/Latinised Greek names like Helen, Chloe, Phoebe, Philip, George etc and modern Greek names like Eleni, Irini, Kyriaki, Konstantinos, Dimitris, Giorgios etc. The latter have a specific cultural vibe and I would assume some connection to the modern country of Greece.

That said, I don't particularly think it is offensive to use a modern Greek name if you are not.

continentallentil · 26/07/2023 20:31

Yes but the trouble is she’ll end up one of a billion Ellies..

SallyWD · 26/07/2023 19:56

I don't see why not but i'd assume the child had Greek heritage. I love the name too.

KirstenBlest · 26/07/2023 19:54

@Idratherbepaddleboarding , it's pronounced El-ENN-y

Idratherbepaddleboarding · 26/07/2023 19:49

I don’t know if it’s pronounce Elenni or Elaini but I do like it. Elena is my very favourite girls’ name though.

fartfacenotfatface · 26/07/2023 19:42

I know 3 Elenis (ages 1-13) and only one has Greek heritage.
The two non-Greek Elenis are known as Leni though.
I think it's a lovely name.

toomanyleggings · 26/07/2023 19:38

Of course you can. My sister is Eleni although she doesn’t use it. We’re Greek but if you like it go for it.

foodtoorder · 26/07/2023 19:35

I knew an Eleni. Lovely kind woman. Lovely name- go for it!

stewinbeard · 26/07/2023 13:05

The only Eleni I have known personally was the daughter of a Greek co-worker living in England, and she went by Ellie. While it's a personal preference, I wouldn't choose a name from a culture that is not mine, just like I like some Welsh names but won't use them as a non-Welsh person. However, with globalization and cultural mixing on the rise, traditional naming conventions seem to be evolving. People are using names from various cultures more frequently now, such as Dua, Gigi and Luna. If Eleni is a name that speaks to you, I can't see harm in using it.

lenalove · 26/07/2023 10:11

I love the name but I might be biased 😉it definitely is very greek (I have a greek grandparent) but no issue with that!

liveforsummer · 26/07/2023 10:11

Lovely name, see no issue with using it. Dd has a typically Spanish name and it's never caused any issues

PickledScrump · 26/07/2023 10:04

I think it’s fine, Penelope is Greek and become very popular, no one blinks an eye at that.

It’s a beautiful name, can’t imagine how anyone could say it wrong.

Enko · 26/07/2023 09:39

It's a beautiful name and works good in English so I say go for it.

KirstenBlest · 26/07/2023 09:38

Yes, but be prepared for people saying Elainy not Elenny.

babysharkdoodoodedoodedoo · 26/07/2023 09:00

I know two Elenis and both are British - I’m not in the UK either.

VivienneDelacroix · 26/07/2023 00:19

Eleni is a beautiful name. My daughter has a Greek name and we're not Greek - lots of Greek names are very easily usable in an English context without sounding contrived.

LuluGuinea · 26/07/2023 00:15

There's also Alayna, but it's not that common.

WhatTheFudge0 · 25/07/2023 23:54

We named our dd Elayna but I love all variations of the name.

Jongleterre · 25/07/2023 23:41

Elena a beautiful name. I much prefer it to Eleni.