Do you like the name Elena?

[PiperClarke]

Hubby and I are stuck between Elena and Zara and we just can’t pick!!

Both names are lovely. Id pronounce Elena "El-ay--nah" until told otherwise.
I know a little Zara and not once have I thought of the clothing brand. No one associates all the little George's out there with Asda do they!?

I didn’t know Elena can be pronounced el-a-nah. I would assume the pronunciation el-ay-na like the Disney Princess Elena of Avalor, until told otherwise.

I wouldn’t use Elena due to the pronunciation issues. I prefer Eleanor.

The fact this whole thread has turned in to how to pronounce it gives you your answer on that one!

That does depend on where you live though. In places where the r is pronounced, eg West Country, Scotland, NI, then Eleanor sounds quite different and any pronunciation of Elana won’t be misheard as Eleanor.

I don’t like it because of the various pronunciation issues. You’ll be constantly correcting people and explaining it and so will she for the rest of her life. I also knew one when I was younger (she was from Sicily) and she was right bitch so I’m maybe unfairly judging it on that too!
Zara is a great name. So classy and cool.

I really like Elena but the pronunciation issues put me off - I like the El-ay-na pronunciation best, otherwise you may as well use Eleanor?

I would pick Zara for an easier life!

I’d probably go for Elena as it’s very international (and most people imo even in the UK, would pronounce it as you want OP “Eh -lay-nah” - as that seems the standard Hispanic way and it’s popular in many Latin American/Spanish speaking countries).

I don’t dislike Zara at all though - it’s a very pretty sound.But to me it still seems very associated with Princess Anne’s daughter (or I suppose the shop to some people!), where as I generally prefer a name that’s not especially associated with just one or two people. Perhaps that’s just as I actually haven’t met any in RL though (despite its apparent popularity in the Top 100).

I prefer Zara but
Theres also
Eleni …..just a thought

It’s my favourite girls’ name! I’m not keen on Zara due to the Z sound but that’s just personal opinion.

I like both. Zara is less prone to mispronunciation but is strongly associated with the shop! I’d say Elena as Ell-EN-ah. Also love the suggestion of Eleni.

Definitely Elena rather than Zara, and the way to say it is the same as I would have assumed. I like it way more than Elina but less than Iliana / Eliana.