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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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Original poster

Lana- backwards spelling an issue?

33 replies

onceuponavino · 14/04/2015 18:15

I love the name Lana..have done for a long time and even more so since I got really into watching Once Upon a Time a couple of years ago and have adored the actress Lana Parrilla ever since!

I admit i think of myself as fairly "dirty minded" but it never occurred to me what Lana spelt backward spells until people started pointing it out! I have read other threads on other forums and a lot of people called Lana have said they had issues growing up with kids at school- same goes for parents with DD Lanas who have said a few kids have pointed it out.

I am wondering if instead I go for Alana and Lana nn. I always liked Alana anyway and my grandfather was Alan so I think it may be a nice way to honour him. Can anyone think of any other names that Lana could be a nn for? Also, I really like Lani as a nn pronounced Lay-nee, but would this seem silly considering I would pronounce Lana Lah-na? It would make more sense if it was Lay-na nn Laynee, or Lah-na nn Lah-nee (IYSWIM!) but I just think Lay-nee is a very sweet nn! But prefer Lana as Lah-na..sorry that rambled a bit lol.

So what other names can Lana be a nn for? Or possible alternate spellings to Lana? DH suggested Lahna but I think that looks quite ugly.

Thanks in advance for your input :)

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crje · 14/04/2015 18:18

Helena

favouritewasteoftime · 14/04/2015 18:19

Lanah

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 14/04/2015 18:20

I'd honestly never thought of the backwards thing OP, that's amused me! I think all kids get picked on for something (or maybe my school was just awful?) so I wouldn't worry about it.

burgatroyd · 14/04/2015 18:20

I like Lainie the most, spelled this way, like the comedian. This is an excellent name.

Once I realised the Lana backwards thing I couldn't unthink it so its a no from me. Alana is OK.

anorakgirl · 14/04/2015 18:20

I know a Lana and have never thought of the backward spelling until you said it , she is a child in dc class and I don't think any of the children have ever thought about it! Ds did call her Lala until he was about 7 though!

MishMooshAndMogwai · 14/04/2015 18:21

Ooo I like Alana

That said, I have an Orla who autocorrect is convinced is called oral!

IBelieveInPink · 14/04/2015 18:27

Never occurred to me, was also on my girl list but baby number 2 is a blue one....

Even now you've pointed it out I'd still use it. Pretty name.

Original poster

onceuponavino · 14/04/2015 18:34

crje I actually really like Helena, but I think it may be a bit too far off from Lana but it is lovely, was on my top 10.

abbeyroadcrossing anorakgirl ibelieveinpink yep never thought about it either! And as you say Pink it hasn't really put me off all that much- DH is more concerned than I am. If it weren't for him I'd just stick with Lana.

burgatroyd yes I love Lainie! Think it's sweet without being too sickly-sweet as I'm really not a girlygirl lol

mishmooshandmogwai Orla is beautiful. I think we may end up with Alana for DH's sake but I'm sure I will call her Lana straight away! favouritewasteoftime suggested this to DH but he thinks that changes the pr. to rhyming with Hannah? hmm not sure myself!

OP posts:

Lanaandmaria2014 · 14/04/2015 18:43

Wow, someone else thinking of Lana? that's my 6mo dd's name (her father's idea) I've grown to love it, the backward spelling never occurred to me and it certainly doesn't bother me, I love the fact it is quite unusual - never met another Lana. Lena is pretty common in Germany where we live but I much prefer Lana.

GertrudeBell · 14/04/2015 18:48

Lara?

Alisvolatpropiis · 14/04/2015 18:49

It would bother me, though it is a lovely name.

Same goes for Arlo and Orla.

sweetpeame · 14/04/2015 19:30

I would never have thought of that!!! Like the name Lana but LOVE the name Alana (although would spell it Alannah), was on my list if DS was going to be a DD. You could definitely use Lana as a nn for Alana and avoid any possible jokes/teasing that way. Also love Lara which is similar.

thebeesankles · 14/04/2015 19:36

I would add an h on the end as a pp suggested.

WhenMarnieWasThere · 14/04/2015 19:38

I went to school with a Lana. As far as I can recall, I don't remember any of the children making an issue of it or making fun.

That said, I really like Alanah. My friend's DD is Alanah. She calls her 'Laney (Larn-ee) or Lana for short.

AlmaMartyr · 14/04/2015 19:38

It is a pretty name but I admit the backwards spelling occurred to me a while back and now I can't unsee it. I'm normally one to not worry about these sorts of things but it would put me off the name just because I can't unsee it.

That said, I am surprised that kids would pick up on it, I'm not sure I would have until at least teenage years.

nocutsnobuttsnococonuts · 14/04/2015 19:46

this was top of the list for dd and just before my due date I read about the backwards spelling. cue massive pregnancy meltdown as no other names were right and we couldn't agree on any others. so went into labour with no name.
then I looked at newborn dd and I realised how silly I was being. we loved the name it was perfect in every other way. kids will tease about anything and with this trend of 'unique' names I doubt she will have anything to worry about especially after hearing some other names in the local area

Totality22 · 14/04/2015 20:21

It wouldn't bother me but my OH vetoed a "J" middle name for our DD who has a "B" first name (his initials are BJ too!)

IvoryMadonna · 14/04/2015 20:49

Kids will always find something to tease about, so I really wouldn't lose any sleep over potential for wordplay.

I knew a Lainey, her full name was Elaine.

I would pronounce Alana like A-lar-na, but Alannah with a short 'a' because of the double 'n'. Same as Hannah. They seem like different names to me.

I prefer Alana to Lana, and it would be nice with the link to your grandfather.

sweetpeame · 15/04/2015 08:35

Just in case it's of interest, Alannah is the usual spelling (in my experience) in Ireland. And it's pronounced with a long "a" not a short one, so in fact the same way as Lana but with an A in front ie A-lana. I believe Alana and Alanah are just alternative or perhaps anglecised spellings of the same name. The same way someone might anglecise Ciara to Keira or Eoin to Owen.

swancourt · 15/04/2015 10:09

Alana NN Lani is absolutely lovely :)

Sophronia · 15/04/2015 10:29

How about Ilana, Iolana, Milana or Roxelana with Lana as a nn?

33goingon64 · 15/04/2015 11:40

Leonie
Lena

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 15/04/2015 20:20

I never even thought of that! So perhaps others haven't either but why take the risk with teasing.
How about Larna or Larner.

flowerygirl · 15/04/2015 20:31

I have a friend Lana and when I first met her, her friend butted in and said 'if you can't remember her name, it's anal spelt backwards'

Ever since then I can't unhear it! It's a lovely name though, if you choose it I would definitely go for a different spelling

Hypotenuse · 15/04/2015 20:39

My exact same fear for my eldest. We call her Lana but her name isn't quite that, so she has the option to switch to her full name as a teen when everyone starts talking about anal... I'm hoping she'll be strong enough to just shout 'yer mum!' Or something equally witty to combat the bullies though.

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