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Original poster

Do you like the name Elena?

37 replies

PiperClarke · 28/02/2025 21:39

Hubby and I are stuck between Elena and Zara and we just can’t pick!!

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timoteigirl · 02/03/2025 09:39

Definitely Elena rather than Zara, and the way to say it is the same as I would have assumed. I like it way more than Elina but less than Iliana / Eliana.

shoopshoopdedoo · 02/03/2025 05:05

I like both. Zara is less prone to mispronunciation but is strongly associated with the shop! I’d say Elena as Ell-EN-ah. Also love the suggestion of Eleni.

Idratherbepaddleboarding · 02/03/2025 01:54

It’s my favourite girls’ name! I’m not keen on Zara due to the Z sound but that’s just personal opinion.

Stirabout · 02/03/2025 01:31

I prefer Zara but
Theres also
Eleni …..just a thought

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 02/03/2025 01:18

I’d probably go for Elena as it’s very international (and most people imo even in the UK, would pronounce it as you want OP “Eh -lay-nah” - as that seems the standard Hispanic way and it’s popular in many Latin American/Spanish speaking countries).

I don’t dislike Zara at all though - it’s a very pretty sound.But to me it still seems very associated with Princess Anne’s daughter (or I suppose the shop to some people!), where as I generally prefer a name that’s not especially associated with just one or two people. Perhaps that’s just as I actually haven’t met any in RL though (despite its apparent popularity in the Top 100).

Moreteaandchocolate · 01/03/2025 21:20

I really like Elena but the pronunciation issues put me off - I like the El-ay-na pronunciation best, otherwise you may as well use Eleanor?

I would pick Zara for an easier life!

Manchesterbythesea · 01/03/2025 10:16

I don’t like it because of the various pronunciation issues. You’ll be constantly correcting people and explaining it and so will she for the rest of her life. I also knew one when I was younger (she was from Sicily) and she was right bitch so I’m maybe unfairly judging it on that too!
Zara is a great name. So classy and cool.

Abitofsunshine · 01/03/2025 10:01

This reply has been deleted

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

That does depend on where you live though. In places where the r is pronounced, eg West Country, Scotland, NI, then Eleanor sounds quite different and any pronunciation of Elana won’t be misheard as Eleanor.

DazzyRascale · 01/03/2025 08:35

The fact this whole thread has turned in to how to pronounce it gives you your answer on that one!

Pumpkincozynights · 01/03/2025 07:02

I wouldn’t use Elena due to the pronunciation issues. I prefer Eleanor.

LilacPony · 01/03/2025 05:49

I didn’t know Elena can be pronounced el-a-nah. I would assume the pronunciation el-ay-na like the Disney Princess Elena of Avalor, until told otherwise.

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 01/03/2025 05:42

Both names are lovely. Id pronounce Elena "El-ay--nah" until told otherwise.
I know a little Zara and not once have I thought of the clothing brand. No one associates all the little George's out there with Asda do they!?

user1492757084 · 01/03/2025 05:39

ELLen-uh is the way that sounds best to me.
But Elena is pretty any which way.
I choose Elena.
Zara is just as lovely.
It's a tough choice and you can't go wrong.

username462025 · 28/02/2025 23:44

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

goingtotown · 28/02/2025 23:10

Not keen on Elena. Alina is a lovely name.

Darkclothes · 28/02/2025 23:04

El-a-nah - like on the vampire diaries

I've never watched the film/show so have no idea how its pronounced! What you've written looks similar to a friend of mine Alana, but with an E at the beginning. Also looks similar to the Greek name Eleni.

I prefer Zara. (Actually, I prefer Lara over either of the above, but that wasn't an option).

Rainbow1235 · 28/02/2025 23:03

Not very helpful but I love both .

TappyGilmore · 28/02/2025 23:00

I don’t like Elena because you’d constantly be telling people how to pronounce it, or correcting them.

I would have assumed that it was pronounced e-lay-na.

Zara would definitely be my pick out of the two.

hyggetyggedotorg · 28/02/2025 22:59

Elena pronounced as Ell-enn-a is lovely.

Elena pronounced as Eleanor is less so. It’s just a miss spelling.

Printedword · 28/02/2025 22:55

We have friends whose daughter is spelt Elena but pronounced Eleanor. I'm not sure as I think that no one gets it.

HarryVanderspeigle · 28/02/2025 22:49

BleeBlahBlue · 28/02/2025 22:38

Helena really isn't clearer

Helen-Ah
Hell-Layna
Hell-eena

Are all pronunciations I've heard for this one name.

I love Elena, but only pronounced like Elaine-Ah

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A lady at work gets all of these pronunciations of Helena. She is in another office and I only email with her, so still don't know which one she goes by!

For the op, El-ayn-er is what i would assume from the spelling. If you want more of an El-an-er I would spell it Elanor.

BootballJoy · 28/02/2025 22:45

Elena. I was a massive the vampire diaries fan though!

jsku · 28/02/2025 22:45

Elena - nice name, can be nn Lena and quite international - Italian, greek, slavic.
Zara is a clothing brand

BleeBlahBlue · 28/02/2025 22:38

Chunkilumptious · 28/02/2025 21:48

Probably Elena, I like Helena better though. Pronunciation clearer.

Helena really isn't clearer

Helen-Ah
Hell-Layna
Hell-eena

Are all pronunciations I've heard for this one name.

I love Elena, but only pronounced like Elaine-Ah

Treesnbirds · 28/02/2025 22:34

Love it. Know a lovely Elena who pronounces it "El-ay-na"