Help with girl names!

[amalii]

Sorry posting here for traffic!

im really stuck on names and due to give birth soon!

I love the name Eleyna, but a relative has that as a middle name and although they are never called that, I can imagine the mum making a point a million times about how it’s her daughters middle name!

so I was thinking I kind of like Elena, but I’ve already had ppl pronounce it as Eleyna everytime I’ve mentioned the name, in a way I don’t mind as I love Eleyna!

just wanted opinions on, if you saw the name elena, how would you pronounce it without knowing the correct pronunciation?

I do like Alana as well, so it’s between Elena and Alana. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

what does everyone think?

El-lay-na , I know a couple and it's the default pronunciation in the UK, I would have thought.

But I am aware it can also be said as Ellen-a, I think that's the Italian pronunciation? What pronunciation were you wanting?

What about Elina ? I think it's a pretty name.

With no advanced prep on how to say the name, I'd pronounce both Eleyna and Elena as eh-LAY-nuh. If I wanted that pronunciation, I would use the Elena spelling. How do you want the name pronounced? If you really have your heart set on Eleyna, can you not just ask your cousin if it's OK to use it?

I like Alana (and Alannah) which are pretty well established names in Scotland; I'd pronounce both as ah-LAHN-uh.

Both just remind me of Elaine. So not keen.

Alana is much nicer.

Ellie is lovely (I have never liked Elena, Elayna or Alana). Or Lilly-Anna is nice, so is Anna and Ella

I know an Elena, pronounced E-lay-nah.
I think I slightly prefer Alana.

What about Eleanor?

Alina? I know one and she’s very bright and lovely.

Elena will be pronounced by some like El-EY-na and by others like El-EN-a. I would ask the person how they pronounce it as I wouldn't know.

Other options:
Helena
Ena/Enna
Eleri

Elena I would pronounce El-en-a

Eleanor is nicer than the other options, by far.

In Wales, Elena is fairly common - pronounced Elen-a

So if I saw the name Elena, I would think it’s pronounced E-le-nuh.
Seems to be quite a few of you that would see the spelling Elena and pronounce it as El-lay-nuh.

Im not fussed if I kept the name elena and others pronounced it as El-lay-nuh.

I could ask her, but I feel she will feel obliged to say it’s ok as opposed to genuinely not having an issue with it.

I prefer Alana, Ellen, Eleanor or Helena

Helena would give you the same problem as Elena though.

Elodie or Elise? Eilidh is a nice Scottish name (pronounced Aylee).

I would use Elena and pronounce it Eleyna.

To me, Eleyna looks like a misspelling anyway.

Your relative doesn't own a name, particularly a middle name. If she makes any comment I would just say "mmm" or "yes, it's a nice name isn't it?" and change the subject.

I would pronounce it El-ay-na. If you want it pronounced the other way why not go with Eleanor?

I prefer Elena to Eleyna and would pronounce both the same. I love the name Ilana and nickname Lana.

Alaina? Pronounced virtually the same as Elayna.

Another vote for Eilidh as an option

@hydriotaphia yes if I keep Alana, for short I’d call her Lana, it’s very cute. is Ilana pronounced as E-lana or eye-lana?

@Am805463the relative has the A spelling

My God daughter is Elena pronounced El en uh.
Knew a girl called Elaina at school.
Perhaps Elaine is due a comeback?

Every single Elena I've ever known (all Russian and Ukrainian immigrants in the US) pronounces the name Eh-LAY-na.

I like Alanna or Alannah better though.

Ilana has a short I as in hit.