Celina or Selena?

[Purpletopaz42]

DH and I really like Selena but with the initial of the middle name and surname with it, it spells out an unpleasant abbreviation, so we can't use it but someone on mumsnet suggested Celina, we really like this but we're just not sure about the spelling? Is it a common spelling of Celina/Is it too different etc?

Celine could also be an option but we're not as keen, I think it just makes us think of Celine Dion lol

I love Celina! I prefer spelling Selina, but Celina is pretty as well.
What about Celia?

I prefer Celina, but I love Celia & Cecilia so that’s probably why

I prefer Selena. Could you add another middle name?

I prefer Selena.
Any chance of change on middle name?

Selena or
Céline
But that's like saline. No, Selena is much nicer

Celia is nice. Can you change the middle name?

I prefer Selena, but I wouldn't use it if it made an unpleasant abbreviation.
Celina is fine in my opinion. I think Selena and Selina will be more familiar to people, but I can't see there being any huge issues with Celina since it's still a phonetic spelling.
Is there some reason you can't change the middle name?

Thank you for all your comments and suggestions. Unfortunately, we can't change the middle name as we're naming her after my mum's first name, which is also DHs mums middle name, so it has sentimental value for us both

It will be tedious for life for her to say it’s ‘like Selina but with a c’, so if you can possibly stick another name between them, or use the very similar Celia or Cecilia I would do that. But if you can’t it’s still nice.

Celine is Dion and who wants that.

We still prefer Celina but think Celia is a really lovely suggestion, definitely adding it as a possibility. Not keen on Cecelia though, probably too reminiscent of the song by the same name.

Selena is a bit nicer. If you had two middle names it would get rid of the abbreviation.

It will be constantly misspelt as Selina

If you both love Celina, go with that. FWIW I think it's very pretty.

According to Google Celina is from the Latin, so definitely a proper spelling. I like it.

I don't think anyone knows mine or my kids middle names, we never use middle initials so would it really be a problem? I prefer Selena.

Celeste?

I like Celina.

I've never heard of Selina. Reminds me of semolina whereas the other spelling didn't at all.

Selena seems like Serena with a letter changed.

I actually prefer Celina and would have spelled it like that before Selena

I like them both but prefer Selena.

Celina is used in many cultures so it's not an odd or made-up spelling. Perfectly usable.

Selina is the one that looks a bit odd to me personally even though it's still fine.

It's not a common name so people will remember how your daughter spells it. It's not like you are trying to name her Amilia in a world full of Amelias. Your daughter will likely be the first one people meet and they will use her spelling.

Other options:

• add a middle name
• use the middle name as the first name and Selena as her middle name and then just call her by the middle name. I know several people who go by their middle names and it was never an issue.

Celina is lovely and I like this spelling as it connects the name to the 'heavenly' meaning whereas Selena is connected to the 'moon' meaning (which is still nice!)