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Baby names

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

Original poster

Alaina, Elena or Poppy?!

62 replies

GraceMF · 22/08/2023 16:52

We had Poppy lined up as a name for our baby girl but have since come across the name Alaina (a-lane-a) and we absolutely love it! Not sure if to go with Alaina or Elena as a spelling? Like the first spelling more as it's a bit less matchy matchy with our first daughter's name.

Our first daughter is called Eloise (goes by Ellie) though, is it too close?!

We would probably call her by her full name or Lanie for short.

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TheaBrandt · 23/08/2023 03:06

We have very different tastes in names. Really don’t like your first choices and too similar to your existing child’s name.

I don’t think poppy translates into adulthood at all - it’s ok for a toddler but cringe when she gets older particularly if she has a more serious personality or a professional job.

CrazyArmadilloLady · 23/08/2023 03:04

God, I’d hate to be called Poppy. 😩

Alaina looks cobbled together.

Elena is lovely.

Soulstirring · 23/08/2023 03:01

I know an Elena, pronounced as you say, but she is European.

i think Eloise and Elena are fine, sound very different. Much prefer that to Poppy

DaftyLass · 23/08/2023 02:48

I have an Aliina , pronounced ah-lee-nah , she loved it as a child as she was the only one in her class with that name. She still likes it, even as a grown up now

DramaAlpaca · 23/08/2023 02:11

Alaina is nice, and a bit different.

Poppy is twee. Cutesy and twee. I don't think either of those are good attributes for a name.

MonsterRehab23 · 23/08/2023 00:54

What about Laina? Poppy is cute though.

user1492757084 · 23/08/2023 00:50

Eloise and Elena are too close.
Alaina is okay though I prefer Alanna - Ah-lann-uh - with the stress on the ANN sound. It also is less clashy with Eloise.

Poppy is also cute.

TracyBeakerSoYeah · 23/08/2023 00:50

Eloise & Aleyna go together really well if that's something you are also wanting.

TracyBeakerSoYeah · 23/08/2023 00:48

How about spelling it Alayna or Aleyna as no way of getting the pronunciation wrong.

https://www.thebump.com/b/aleyna-baby-name#

Another Al name I love is Alia

Aleyna - Baby Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity

Learn about the baby name Aleyna including baby name meaning, gender, origin, and more.

https://www.thebump.com/b/aleyna-baby-name#

OhLookIveChangedMyNameAgain · 23/08/2023 00:43

I like Poppy, though I know quite a few little ones called it because it’s quite popular.
I like Alaina.
Elena I think you will have pronunciation problems.
Im not convinced Alaina goes with Eloise though.
What about Liana?

CallieQ · 23/08/2023 00:36

Go for Poppy

Theoldwoman · 23/08/2023 00:34

Mmm I like Elena but wouldn’t go for another E name.

What about Alana?

Cropout · 22/08/2023 22:57

Alana might work?
Elena is nice but too similar to Eloise
Poppy is a nice name

Laura280706 · 22/08/2023 22:54

I have an Anya Eloise, very similar to your choices and sound different but complement each other.

morag1234 · 22/08/2023 22:50

I absolutely love the name Poppy!

I know someone called Alana, which is kind of similar to what you were going for.

Smearysmear · 22/08/2023 22:48

Suggesting Alena (Ah-Lee-Nah)

Feels similar but not as close to your DD's name

continentallentil · 22/08/2023 22:41

I like Elena but it’s too close to Eloise - unless you call her Nell or Lena from the off

Alaina just looks made up

Poppy is very twee

So I guess Elena with one of the diminutives above, unless there’s another option.

samandpoppysmummy · 22/08/2023 22:28

Definitely Poppy :)

My DD is called Poppy. She's 16 and has always liked her name.

VerityUnreasonble · 22/08/2023 21:03

What about Alina?

Neverseenbefore · 22/08/2023 21:03

Poppy is fine. I don’t think it’s wet or cute. It’s a flower name, like many other names. I like Elena too. I don’t know the name Alaina.

PickledScrump · 22/08/2023 20:58

I like Elena but only known it said Eh-len-a. Not a fan of Alaina, would end up said as E-lain-a, and both names are too similar to your older daughter.

Stick with Poppy. I don’t think it’s “twee” or “wet” at all. No different from all the other nature names that are popular at the moment.

shoopshoopdedoo · 22/08/2023 20:38

I love the name Elena, but I thought it was pronounced Eh-LEN-ah. I like the nickname Lena (LEN-ah). So there are obviously possible pronunciation issues! Also, I think it’s too similar to Eloise, especially if pronounced as you want it - surely both names might be shortened to Ellie?

cptartapp · 22/08/2023 18:59

Poppy is dreadful. Wet and infantile. PP said 'cute' which says it all.
Alaina sounds made up.
Like Eleanor but not Elena. But too similar to Eloise.

FayCarew · 22/08/2023 18:58

@modgepodge , adult Poppy will be working with Evie, Ellie, Rosie, Daisy, Alfie, Archie and Teddy. The name's fine.

SM4713 · 22/08/2023 18:48

How would you pronounce Elena? Like Ell-en-ah?

I went to school with an Alana. That would avoid the same Elle sound as DD1..