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Original poster

How would you pronounce Elena?

110 replies

Goscat · 02/03/2025 17:26

Latin family loving in the UK. We want to use this name but are unsure how Brits (Scots specifically will pronounce it?)

It should be Eh-LEH-na

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Original poster
Goscat · 02/03/2025 17:51

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 02/03/2025 17:49

No, it means that I posted (kind of) the same thing at the same time as another poster, so I hadn't seen her post when I posted mine!

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Oh I see! Internet noob 🤣

OP posts:
AllProperTeaIsTheft · 02/03/2025 17:49

Goscat · 02/03/2025 17:40

What does cross posted mean? As in I posted this elsewhere? Because I didn't 🤣

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No, it means that I posted (kind of) the same thing at the same time as another poster, so I hadn't seen her post when I posted mine!

Eyerollexpert · 02/03/2025 17:48

El Lee na

Original poster
Goscat · 02/03/2025 17:48

Darkclothes · 02/03/2025 17:46

There was a similar thread a few days ago which I'll post if I can find it.
I'm not Scottish, not even born in the UK. I'd say Ellen-ah, although I know some say El-ay-na.

Do you like the name Elena? | Mumsnet

Edited

Oh thank you! I'll have a search back through! Maybe it's becoming more popular here than we thought 🤣

OP posts:
hereismydog · 02/03/2025 17:48

I know two, but they pronounce it differently.

One is Romanian and pronounces it Ell-ay-nah.
One is Spanish and pronounces it Ell-enn-ah.

If I didn’t know, my default would be Ell-ay-nah and await correction Grin

Darkclothes · 02/03/2025 17:46

There was a similar thread a few days ago which I'll post if I can find it.
I'm not Scottish, not even born in the UK. I'd say Ellen-ah, although I know some say El-ay-na.

Do you like the name Elena? | Mumsnet

Lonelycrab · 02/03/2025 17:46

Eh lay na

Original poster
Goscat · 02/03/2025 17:45

Ddakji · 02/03/2025 17:43

Kind of like this - same intonation but with more of an A (ie how you say the letter A) in the middle - Leh sounds like a shorter sound.

I’m a Londoner if that makes a difference!

Edited
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This is the correct Spanish pronunciation so makes me feel better 🤣

OP posts:
Original poster
Goscat · 02/03/2025 17:44

Sounds like a mix 🤣 I guess we'll just have to go for it if we like it.

I'm not so worried about it being said like Eleanor because in Scotland people pronounce Eleanor with a heard R at the end, not diminished like English. It's more the elaine-a possibility.

OP posts:
Ddakji · 02/03/2025 17:43

Goscat · 02/03/2025 17:26

Latin family loving in the UK. We want to use this name but are unsure how Brits (Scots specifically will pronounce it?)

It should be Eh-LEH-na

Kind of like this - same intonation but with more of an A (ie how you say the letter A) in the middle - Leh sounds like a shorter sound.

I’m a Londoner if that makes a difference!

Barleysugar86 · 02/03/2025 17:41

El-lay-nah

Original poster
Goscat · 02/03/2025 17:40

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 02/03/2025 17:30

Cross-posted!

What does cross posted mean? As in I posted this elsewhere? Because I didn't 🤣

OP posts:
Mingenious · 02/03/2025 17:38

Eh Lay na

DappledThings · 02/03/2025 17:37

I would say it as Eh-LAY-na. Not the same way as Eleanor at all

leia24 · 02/03/2025 17:37

I know one pronounced Eleanor but it looks like it should be Elayna

Gymmum82 · 02/03/2025 17:36

I would say it how the Spanish would say it

El-eh-na

but most English people will say it like Eleanor or Elaine-a

username462025 · 02/03/2025 17:36

This reply has been withdrawn

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

SnemonyLicket · 02/03/2025 17:36

I know two people called Elena- one pronounced the same as Eleanor, the other eh-lay-na. But ultimately it doesn't matter- once people know how's it pronounced they'll pronounce it the way you want it to be pronounced. I've had all sorts of pronunciations for my name and it's fine once you correct people.

PiastriThePastry · 02/03/2025 17:35

El-ay-nuh. I’m so terrible at writing out how I say things but hopefully that makes sense 😂

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 02/03/2025 17:33

Ellen-ah / L-N-ah (capitals pronounced as letter names)

LadyGreySpillsTheTea · 02/03/2025 17:32

The Elena we know calls it EL-uh-nuh (which is identical to the more common Eleanor) but is perfectly aware that others say El-AY-nah. Especially if you have a Latin background nobody would be surprised at a DC called El-AY-nah.

UninterestingFirstPost · 02/03/2025 17:32

Eh-LEN-a

Rivari · 02/03/2025 17:32

ELLuhnuh

DragonFly98 · 02/03/2025 17:31

Elaine a

familyissues12345 · 02/03/2025 17:31

I've known one, and I think her Mum is Danish. Her name is pronounced El - ay - na