Are these truly terrible names?

[kiylahskies]

Hello . Me and DH have decided on two names for our DD when she arrives 1)Leilani (pronounced Lay-larn-ee, not sure how we're going to spell that yet) meaning: Heavenly flowers. And 2) Eyanah (pronounced Ay-yah-nah) meaning: educated/ a pretty flower.
MIL hates them both and says she'll cringe every time she has to call her grand daughter. One of DH's friends gave us a bit of a face when we told him. Are these names really that bad/ which one do you prefer?
Thank you so much!

Sorry, I should add unless they are specifically from your given culture.

Definitely Leilani - you could use Leila as a nickname if you wished
Eyanah is a no for me but spelling it Ayanah or Ayana would make it so much better

Leilani is pretty, the other one sounds completely made up.

Leilani reminds me of the glamour 'model' from the early 2000s... en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leilani_Dowding

If they are cultural names and 'normal' where you are- fair enough. I despise people taking an original name and then butchering it to phonetically spell easier so it is then acceptable to westerners. Either use it properly or don't use it at all. It's as sad as spelling western names unusually to make them unique to me and makes me shudder.

I know a Leilani and it’s a pretty name but personally I wouldn’t give DC a name they had to keep spelling out.

Leilani is Hawaiian isn't it? Assuming that's where you're from then. I've never heard of the other name. I think Leilani is lovely but I wouldn't pronounce it ley-larn-ee, I know in some parts of the UK the accent would put an 'r' where there's not one written but I really don't think it sounds nice that way so if that's the way you're going to say it I'd go for Leila.

Both awful. I quite like Leila. The second one sounds like a donkey. What about just simple and pretty like Nina, Mia, Mary, Anna, Jane?

Leila.
Don't like Leilani or Eyanah.
I think it's interesting to know what a name's roots are, but I wouldn't choose one based on only that.

I like both of them OP

In real I have a name you have to spell out and then I will be asked " whats that short for??" (nothing and no freaking clue what you thought it could be short for) I mind the " short for " comment a lot more than having to spell it.

I know an Aiyana pronounced the way you are suggesting Eyanah is pronounced. I believe Aiyana is the correct spelling, and it's of South African origin.

I think it's ugly, personally, but whatever. Leilani is fractionally better, but still OTT and still the sort of name which will condemn your child to a lifetime of spelling and pronunciation issues.

Leilani is a well-known name down our way. No-one would bat an eyelid.

I can't imagine it pronounced any other way than Lay-lah-nee.

I know an adult Leilani, and a 70-something Lani.

The other name, not so much.

I have a well-known name but have always had to spell it, as there are several different accepted spellings.

I mean, unless your name is Emma or John, you will probably have to spell it out. Even John/Jon might need to from time to time.

I quite like Leilani, to me it's a fairly familiar name although I'd expect some connection to Hawaii (and I'd pronounce it Lay - lah - knee, although I know that my 'ah' might be described 'ar' by some people). Not sure why you'd be wanting to spell it in some different way, I think that would cause a lot of confusion. Never heard of Eyanah, and wouldn't think to pronounce it in the way you have suggested, I thought more like Eh - an - a. Googling it and variations I can only see Ayaana as a known name with an Arabic origin but different meaning so presumably this isn't the origin that you are thinking of?

I'm guessing it's the meaning that matters to you most as both? Personally I'd much prefer to be called Leilani rather than Eyanah. I think Eyanah could be a bit of a burden.

Isn't Leilani some sort of football player or something? Not that I know much about that. Think I agree with those saying to tone it down a little, Layla is much prettier.

My daughter called her son Eoin (pronounced Owen). Most people have to ask how to pronounce it or guess (usually incorrectly). IMO it's a silly name but what can you say?

Hate these geographical names such as India, Chelsea et al although I guess Rotherham, perhaps Biggleswade, Chepstow, maybe Tunbridge Wells or Skelmersdale might be OK.

As PPs have said - lumbering your child with a name that’s impossible to both pronounce and spell is a bit of a baggage.

If you like the meaning of the names, how about Celeste, meaning ‘heavenly’?

I like Leilani, it's a beautiful name. I don't know how anyone would struggle to pronounce as it is very straight forward, and the nn's Leila or Lani are nice. Not keen on Eyanah however.

Not keen on either tbh- tho if it HAD to be one of them, I'd go for Leilani ( but no!)
Leia or Leila or Lila instead maybe???

Diabolical.

DD had a girl in her nursery group called Elayah - pronounced Eh-Lay-A. Kind of combines the two and is really pretty IMO. Her dad was Black Jamaican, mum White British if it makes any difference.

I like both names you have chosen OP. So what if she has to spell it out? I have to spell my surname (of Scottish origin but not particularly common) all the time, and my standard-issue 70s first name surprisingly often. Do you have an easy surname?

Firstly screw what your rude MIL says it's not her baby.

Leilani is nice.

Other options you might like:

Elleni (nn Ellie)
Lorelie
Cordelia
Melody
Estella
Ayala
Ariella
Camille
Lila
Leela
Leah
Alina
Alana
Isabella / Bella

Seriously go with what you & DH love - one the baby is here everyone will just get over their opinions and her name will suit her.

Layla is nicer
The other name is not nice - I know two Ayanna’s - that sounds and looks a bit better

I really like Leilani, I would have thought it was quite well know... I know three, although two are American. I don't know how else you would pronounce it other than Lay-lah-nee.