I think I'm in love..

[strawberryyDaiquiri]

But "traditional name loving" family think I'm bonkers.

I've loved the name Helena for a long long time and a few days ago DH and I were discussing potential nn's. We know that nicknames usually just sort of "happen" but I think Laney is such a nice name. Originally we wanted Helena pronounced Helen-ah but we thought if we use Hel-ay-nah then Laney could be a really nice shortened version. What do you think of Laney? Is it too cutsie? I'm not really a fan of frilly cutsie names but it sounds like more of a strong cutsie name IUSWIM.

My DH also really likes Lenny and I thought he was mad at first but I love Ronnie, Bobbie, Billie etc and I'm falling for Lenny too!

very confident to go for it now :) thanks everyone. I'm even tempted to go for straight Laney instead of Helena...thoughts on that? Maybe Helena would give her more choices for later life.

I like Lena, Leni, Laney, Nelle and Heli as nicknames for Helena. I would still use the Hel-en-a pronounciation with the nickname Laney. I don't like it said Hel-ay-na.

Also, Helena nn Laney is definitely better than just Laney.

I love Helena as Helen-a, less keen on Hel-ay-na though if you're wanting to use layney I do think the latter makes more sense.

Which name do you prefer, op?

I like the Laney sound. I like Delaney and I once met a Greek woman who pronounced her name, Eleni, like Elaney (though I know many prn this name LNE). I also know Laney is a nn for Elaine, which has gone out of fashion right now.

It is a good name in its own right. I doubt you'd have much mn approval on just having it as BC name. Lacey, which sounds similar but has a different feel, is a name in its own right.

However if you've always loved Helena you may regret not going for that. This could be a fad...
Or inspired!

My OH calls dd2 Laney. I call her by her full name as its only one syllable more.

I've just remembered that someone I know has a daughter called Eleni - pronounced Elainey. It's a foreign name of some description I think - I always thought it was pretty.

I hope I'm right in saying this! Léan is the Irish for Helen and pronounced Lane (or layn if you like) so it's not too far fetched at all!