Alannah Alana or Alanna

[Sausagedog1]

Just that really... Which spelling is best?
Alannah seems to be more common in Ireland and Alana more common in the UK.
We are living in the UK and have chosen the name for the meaning in Irish (darling child I believe)

I'd just spell it Alana.

I would pronounce them differently. Alannah and Alanna like “a-LAN-a” and Alana “a-LAH- a”

I prefer Alannah.

Alannah, pronounced a-LAH-na

Alanna !

Alannah. It looks the most balanced.

Agree with pp, to me Alana would be pronounced A lah na (rhyming with a farmer!) and Alannah/Alanna would be A la na (to rhyme with a hammer).

Alannah and its a beautiful name

Alana

My brain short circuits a bit when people with non-rhotic accents give examples of words that rhyme in their voice.

I'm sitting here like a ninny trying to get farmer and hammer to sound like Alana/Alannah.

I'm having difficulty!

Alannah definitely, looks far classier!

Alana looks wrong to me. I think Alannah is prettiest.

Also, I know most people don't think about it but when I hear a name I always spell it backwards in my head and this doesn't bode well for Alana :/

@WagnerTheWehrWolf

My brain short circuits a bit when people with non-rhotic accents give examples of words that rhyme in their voice.

I'm sitting here like a ninny trying to get farmer and hammer to sound like Alana/Alannah.

I'm having difficulty!

I did think it might not work in other accents but couldn't think how else to write it! Mumsnet need an option to attach a few seconds sound file like you can a photo for this kind of thread

What about Alana has a long a in the middle and Alannah has a short one?

Alana. One in DDs class, never any problems with pronunciation or spelling that I’m aware

Thanks everyone. In terms of pronunciation I say Al-ar-na which I think is the way most people in South England would say it?
DH says Al-ah-na with an elongated a sound. He doesn't get the English way of adding ar sounds in.
I don't mind if it sounds different in different accents, it would be the same for a name like Alexander.
I could say Alannah to rhyme with Hannah but I've never heard it said like that? It's quite nice though. Either way it more or less sounds the same in DH accent so I just need to decide how I want to say it.
I love Lani as a nickname.

But Alana spelt backwards just says anala. What is that? I know Lana is anal which I would avoid but Anala doesn't mean anything I don't think
I am leaning towards the Alannah spelling I think.

Alanna

Alannah

@Sausagedog1

But Alana spelt backwards just says anala. What is that? I know Lana is anal which I would avoid but Anala doesn't mean anything I don't think I am leaning towards the Alannah spelling I think.

I really don't think anyone plays with a name spelling it backwards. That's just bizarre

Alannah if you must. It's not great though.

Alannah does rhyme with Hannah in Ireland.

@Firebird83

I would pronounce them differently. Alannah and Alanna like “a-LAN-a” and Alana “a-LAH- a”

I prefer Alannah.

This.

Alanna may be pronounced al-anna. Same with Arianna vs Ariana.

Go for Alana

Alannah is the spelling I am most used to but I like Alana too.

I like Alana. Pretty without being fussy.