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Baby names

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Original poster

Please settle this argument for me

38 replies

BluLagoon · 14/04/2024 21:12

DH and I have pretty much agreed on a name but not on how to spell it. Please settle this by telling us - how would you pronounce ‘Selena’?

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NewName24 · 15/04/2024 20:30

Thanks for the explanation @BluLagoon
I was trying to work out how it could be pronounced any other way from

Seh-Lean-ah / er (which sound the same to most of us)

DuchessOfSausage · 15/04/2024 19:47

@pinkmags , me too but not everyone will. I think Sairuh-rann sounds awful. I don't know any though, they're all Sarah Janes. Smile

It's an issue if the surname starts with a vowel or H. Sarah Atkins becomes Sarah Ratkins.

Might be best to consider it if you want to call your daughter Anna and your surname is Ackroyd.

AngelQuartz · 15/04/2024 19:45

Berlinlover · 14/04/2024 21:15

Seriously?

Show quote history

I’ve got quite a broad South Yorkshire accent and most words ending in A sound like “er” “uh” when pronounced.

pinkmags · 15/04/2024 19:30

If you give Sarah the middle name Ann, some will say it as Sair-uh-rAnn.

Interesting.... although I'd still say Sair-ah-Ann

ontheflighttosingapore · 15/04/2024 18:19

Selina

DuchessOfSausage · 15/04/2024 16:52

@pinkmags , some accents say 'Sarah' as 'Sair-ah' and some as 'Sair-uh'
Some accents say 'Taylor' as 'Tayl-er' and some as 'Tayl-uh'

If you say Taylor as 'Tayl-uh' chances are you say 'er' and 'uh' the same, so see 'er' and 'uh' as interchangeable.

If you give Sarah the middle name Ann, some will say it as Sair-uh-rAnn.

pinkmags · 15/04/2024 16:45

How on earth does a name ending in A get pronounced with an er?

This!

Surely the sound -ah is completely different to -er?!?!

evtheria · 15/04/2024 16:45

I'd naturally say it 'seh-LEH-nah' but have heard it other ways eg seeLEEnuh

pinkmags · 15/04/2024 16:43

Selena to rhyme with Helena

ivs · 15/04/2024 13:15

noonesayscheese · 14/04/2024 22:42

Seh, rhymes with meh.

Lean. As in meat.

A. The last syllable of Sarah.

same as mine, but my Sarah is Ser-er, and Seh leen er

DuchessOfSausage · 15/04/2024 09:55

The Spanish pronunciation isn't ‘Suh-Layna’

ivs · 15/04/2024 08:35

BluLagoon · 14/04/2024 21:57

Thanks everyone, FWIW I won the argument 😊 My DH thought people would think ‘Suh-Layna’ as in the Spanish pronunciation but oils were found for my preferred option

If I met one, I would assume leen, but if told layn I wouldn't be surprised

BingoMarieHeeler · 14/04/2024 22:57

Berlinlover · 14/04/2024 21:17

How on earth does a name ending in A get pronounced with an er?

I highly doubt that you have genuinely never in your life heard a non-rhotic accent 😵‍💫

theduchessofspork · 14/04/2024 22:44

BluLagoon · 14/04/2024 21:57

Thanks everyone, FWIW I won the argument 😊 My DH thought people would think ‘Suh-Layna’ as in the Spanish pronunciation but oils were found for my preferred option

Nah, never heard it said like that here

theduchessofspork · 14/04/2024 22:44

It’s pronounced the same as Selina or Celina

suh-lee-nah

noonesayscheese · 14/04/2024 22:42

Seh, rhymes with meh.

Lean. As in meat.

A. The last syllable of Sarah.

JojoSeawitchHasBeenABadBadGirl · 14/04/2024 22:09

Shit. I wasn't concentrating.
Although I still say Selena like Selina, if it's Spanish it's not far off what your DH said and what funny said. Oops!

How to Pronounce Selena Gomez? (CORRECTLY) English & Spanish Pronunciation

Hear more MUSIC CELEBRITY NAMES pronounced: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFKO72bP1r8&list=PLd_ydU7Boqa2eHjWRa8O5l-z-j-p6BqA0 Listen and learn how to say S...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVGLAUQAUA8

YeahComeOnThen · 14/04/2024 21:58

I like the selina spelling more.

Original poster
BluLagoon · 14/04/2024 21:57

Thanks everyone, FWIW I won the argument 😊 My DH thought people would think ‘Suh-Layna’ as in the Spanish pronunciation but oils were found for my preferred option

OP posts:
FunnysInLaJardin · 14/04/2024 21:56

the -Elena ending would make me think sell-ennah

Moreteaandchocolate · 14/04/2024 21:53

DramaAlpaca · 14/04/2024 21:16

seh-LEEN-uh

That's as close as I can get to rendering how I say it.

Same as this for me

StarlightLime · 14/04/2024 21:53

ZipZapZoom · 14/04/2024 21:14

Seh Leen ah

This.

ivs · 14/04/2024 21:47

Berlinlover · 14/04/2024 21:15

Seriously?

Show quote history

Yes, seriously

Why?

DappledThings · 14/04/2024 21:25

Berlinlover · 14/04/2024 21:17

How on earth does a name ending in A get pronounced with an er?

It's the rhotic vs non-rhotic thing again.

Ah and ar are the same to me. Uh and er are the same too. As someone said before learner has a uh sound but spell er and er in my accent is a reasonable rendition of uh.

pictoosh · 14/04/2024 21:22

The same as Selina Scott.