Is this an accepted spelling?

[signuptoday]

Hi, we are considering names for DD and one of the ones we both like is Ellena spelt like that. Does anyone know if this is an accepted spelling? I don't want to give DD a 'creatively' spelt name!

[DessieLou]

Ellena was on our shortlist for dd. We considered it because to me Eleanor is pronounced as it is spelt, eh-lin-or. Surely the pronunciation of ellena is obvious? Also considered Elena which is pronounced eh-lay-na, possibly spelt Alaina. Ellen is also lovely. If we have another dd both ellena and Ellen will be on the list again so I say go for it! :-)

[weegiemum]

Elna is very pretty, it's Swedish.

[Maiziemonkey]

would you consider "Eleni"- Greek origin, sounds very pretty

[sorchatallulah]

Haha, you guys were really confusing me for a moment until I realised that in most English accents, "Ell-en-a" and Eleanor are pronounced the same. In Ireland, Scotland and the English places (Gloucestershire is one I'm thinking of) where we pronounce the 'r' at the end of words, they're two totally different names!

But yeah OP, I don't think it's good to go with a non-standard spelling. If you like that pronunciation, go with Elena and just tell people how you're pronouncing it. 'Ell-en-a' is common enough that people won't freak out!

[Ellypoo]

People have never been able to spell Eleanor correctly in my experience always had millions of random spellings, even when I've spelt it out!!

[stickygotstuck]

Sorry, I meant it's pronounced 'eh-LEH-nah' - don't know where that 'n' came from!

[stickygotstuck]

I am pretty sure that Eleanor (& variants) and Elena are completely different names .

Altough I have met a couple of Eleanors and what I initially heard was "Elena" (pronounced like Helena without the "h"), so I assume that's why many people think they are the same name.

I have just looked it up on the Oxford Names Companion, and it says:
"Eleanor (variants Elinor, Ellenor) - English: from and Old French spelling of the Old Provençal name Alienor, which has been taken to be a derivative of Helen, but is probably of Germanic derivation (with a first element 'ali' - other, foreign). The names was introduced to England by Eleanor of Aquitaine".

Elena is simply defined as "Italian and Spanish verson of Helen". This one is Greek in origin and is pronounced 'ehn-LEH-na'

Ellena does not appear at all and it is a comprehensive book, so OP, to answer your question no, it's not a 'standard' spelling. To save hassle to your DD I'd go for 'Elena'.

Now Helena, Ellen, Elena, Helen are all the same name.

HTH

[mrz]

It's a perfectly acceptable spelling judging by the number of people with the name. Just because MSword doesn't recognise it means very little.

[TheApprentice]

I had an Ellena in my class once. Nobody had any trouble pronouncing it.

[nickelbabylyinginamanger]

i don't see the problemn of ellena
if you like it.

ps the traditional English way is Elinor.
eleanor is French

[forgetmenots]

heidipi, I'm sure she will thank you when she is older!

Only Elena I know is El-ay-na, and I know an Eleana pronounced the same way. Like Elin too (would assume Scandinavian heritage possibly). Ellen definitely my favourite (and like Nell as a potential nn as well).

[bluebiscuit]

I think Ellena is a minefield of difficult spellings and pronounciations.

Ellen is a lovely name that is easy to use and pretty. I would definitely go for this rather than Ellena.

[GreatCongas]

I know a welsh elena but never come across ellena

[heidipi]

My DD is an Ellen! I'm too biased to be helpful, but I'm so pleased we chose it now. I think it's pretty without being fussy, haven't met any other little Ellens at all but it's familiar enough that everyone can spell it (apart from occasionally people think it's Helen with a dropped H). And I like the thought that out 2yo sticky toddler is classy!

[forgetmenots]

I love Ellen (probably not helpful!)

So classy.

[signuptoday]

Thanks for the replies. I think we'll avoid this spelling then. We haven't quite decided on a name for DD yet and it was just one idea DH and I are considering. We also like Ellen (and prefer it to Eleanor/ Elinor) but I know some don't like it as they think it sounds too plain.

[mrz]

If you put Ellena into google search it comes up with a whole host of Ellenas

[Alisvolatpropiis]

I've never seen that spelling before.

Ellen
Elena
Eleanor
Elinor


Which are you going for?

[TheMonster]

I would have thought it was pronounced el-ay-na as opposed to it being a misspelling of Eleanor.

[toomuch2young]

I know an Elonor and an Elenor!! It seems Eleanor is becoming a name with a hundred spellings. If you like it go for it, it's a pretty name.

[SamSmalaidh]

How are you pronouncing it? El-en-a or El-ay-na?

[KnifetyForks]

I thought Elena was pronounced 'Elaine-a'?

[FrostyTheSnowSlut]

I think Eleanor is the standard British spelling but then I've known an Elena and an Elina but both were foreign and that seems to be the standard spelling in lots of places.

I think the extra L is unnecessary. Just go with Elena?

Also all the spellings I've listed haven't been autocorrected, the one you have has.