Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

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!!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
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

This reply has been withdrawn

Post withdrawn at author's request

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This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.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

Show quote history

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"