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Original poster

How would you say Eleni / Elena

12 replies

pixiestix · 20/09/2009 16:18

Trying to get through TTC tension by thinking up names for the imaginary baby!

Whats the consensus on Eleni / Elena?
And how would you pronounce them:

Eleni - ELL-en-i, E-LAYN-i or E-LEN-i
(I think I prefer the last one)

Elena - ELLEN-a, E-LAYN-a or E-LEN-a
(I'm liking the middle one)

Views and opinions welcomed!!
Feel free to tell me they are all nasty!

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bellissima · 22/09/2009 15:57

Know a half-Spanish eh-LEH-nu. Not at all psychotic - very nice!

But (see various postings) - given that the name has rather different pronunciations in different languages then, eg if you lived in London, the imaginary baby would have to put up with them all.

lynniep · 22/09/2009 15:34

Pretty. I have a friend with a baby called Elina (El -ee- na) which is quite similar!

Original poster
pixiestix · 22/09/2009 15:32

Thanks guys!
I actually came across Eleni as I was watching the Rome boxset the other day - one of the servants was called Eleni (pron. ELL-en-i) and I thought it was gorgeous.
Not a great story for a potential DD when she asks "How did you think of my name" though?!

OP posts:
TotallyUnheardOf · 20/09/2009 17:23

Italian pronunciation would be

ELL-en-ah

Like it. But like Ellen even more.

Fayrazzled · 20/09/2009 17:02

A Greek friend has an Eleni and pronounces it "El-AY-nee".

MrsSantosisafeminist · 20/09/2009 16:54

Among other things, Elena is the Spanish for Helen - pronounced eh-LEH-nuh (stress on second syllable). I think it is a really pretty name. Unfortunately I have crossed paths with two Spanish Elenas both of whom were a bit psychotic so it has put me off a bit

Eleni is pretty too - and Eleanor btw

Good luck with your TTC

serenity · 20/09/2009 16:31

Ell-EN-i is the Greek pronunciation (and we know many - most of whom are DH's first/second/kissing cousins), and we know two 'Elena's, one of whom is Ell-AY-na the other is Ellen-a

trollbeadaddict · 20/09/2009 16:25

Eleni is welsh for "this year" (pronounced E-LEN-i). Not sure if that makes a difference to whether you still like it, but is quite a common word here - could be a very trendy name I guess (This is SO Eleni!)!

I really like Elena (middle pronounciation too!) - its a very pretty name.

florence2511 · 20/09/2009 16:23

Elena is pronounced Elayna and I would assume that Eleni would be pronounces Ell-en-i which is very pretty.

SausageRocket · 20/09/2009 16:20

Ell-en-ee

El-en-ah

GetOrfMoiLand · 20/09/2009 16:20

They are both pronounced the middle ways, imo. I think they both sound nicer pronounced this way, too.

They are both nice names, though prefer Elena. Think is the greek and/or eastern european forms of Helen, fwiw.

bronzebeard · 20/09/2009 16:18

I think it depends who it was. Someone of eastern european descent would be different to someone who was welsh