I like Elena (Uh-LAY-na -- controversial pronunciation I know), and my husband prefers Nina. I was thinking that maybe we could do Elena nickname Nina. Is that too far off? Gives us options, but I don't want to make her life too annoying!
Also is the Uh-LAY-na pronunciation uncommon? The only Elena I know pronounces it this way and I prefer it to Ellen-uh (though that's also lovely.) In the UK if that matters.