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HelpElena
What do you think of Elena for a girl?
The thing is, I only like it pronounced ee-LAY-na or maybe eh-LAY-na.
I dislike ELL-leh-na. ELL-lay-na is alright.
How would YOU pronounce it?
Do you think she'd always have to explain it's ee-LAY-na, NOT ELL-leh-na?
I feel that ELL-leh-na is the usual pronunciation. I've met several, their parents were all from Poland or Russia. But it's really not my favorite pronunciation, also because it leads to Ellie which I don't like much.
Do you think I could get away with the ee-LAY-na pronunciation? or eh-LAY-na? (I love that, too).
Oh and I don't want an alternate spelling. Elaina isn't bad but I find Elena prettier.
Do you know anyone with it? How do they pronounce it?
The thing is, I only like it pronounced ee-LAY-na or maybe eh-LAY-na.
I dislike ELL-leh-na. ELL-lay-na is alright.
How would YOU pronounce it?
Do you think she'd always have to explain it's ee-LAY-na, NOT ELL-leh-na?
I feel that ELL-leh-na is the usual pronunciation. I've met several, their parents were all from Poland or Russia. But it's really not my favorite pronunciation, also because it leads to Ellie which I don't like much.
Do you think I could get away with the ee-LAY-na pronunciation? or eh-LAY-na? (I love that, too).
Oh and I don't want an alternate spelling. Elaina isn't bad but I find Elena prettier.
Do you know anyone with it? How do they pronounce it?
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Replies
I have met or known of many Elenas. In the U.S., it is almost universally pronounced eh-LAY-na, or perhaps with the middle syllable having just a bit of a mixed LAY and LEH sound. It is a popular name among people of Hispanic background in the U.S., but I think it could be used by anyone without a lot of pronunciation confusion.
Personally, I don't much like Elaina.
A couple I know of (son and daughter-in-law of my former boss) recently had a baby girl they named Aleyna, pronounced the way I am used to hearing Elena pronounced. The mother is Hispanic; I am unsure why they chose this spelling.
Anyway, I think Elena is a great name.
Personally, I don't much like Elaina.
A couple I know of (son and daughter-in-law of my former boss) recently had a baby girl they named Aleyna, pronounced the way I am used to hearing Elena pronounced. The mother is Hispanic; I am unsure why they chose this spelling.
Anyway, I think Elena is a great name.
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This is my name and I pronounce it eh-LAY-na and trust me when I tell you that 95% of the people I've encountered pronounce it that way too. I've gotten ELLEN-a and ee-LEE-na once or twice but the majority get it. Then again, I suppose it would depend on where you live (I live in Virginia). Ellie's cute but I'm never called that. My dh does call me Leni (pronounced Lainey) from time to time.
Just remember, there is no one "correct" way. Elena is universal and is pronounced differently around the world. I will say that after reading some of the comments on this site that the 'leh' sound is the proper one, I asked a good friend of mine who was born in Puerto Rico how she pronounced Elena. First, she looked at me like I was nuts and pronounced it exactly the way I do. ;-) I'm not saying that some people with an Hispanic background don't stress the 'leh' sound but not everyone does. Spanish actor, Antonio Banderas, for example, does not. I'm guessing this is a regional thing. Also, I've come to the conclusion that even if I'm not pronouncing my name the absolute correct way, it doesn't matter because the majority of people I've ever met or talked with pronounce it the way I do so I'm fine with it.
I think your dd would have a minimum of explaining to do. People can easily be educated. I've noticed that young people (under 30) have less of a problem than senior citizens. Why, I don't know. I also think your dd would love her name just as I do. Oh, and I'm with you on not spelling it Elaina. Dumbing down never serves anyone, imo.
BTW, I've never known another Elena, but I did grow up with a Helena who pronounced it heh-LAY-na.
Just remember, there is no one "correct" way. Elena is universal and is pronounced differently around the world. I will say that after reading some of the comments on this site that the 'leh' sound is the proper one, I asked a good friend of mine who was born in Puerto Rico how she pronounced Elena. First, she looked at me like I was nuts and pronounced it exactly the way I do. ;-) I'm not saying that some people with an Hispanic background don't stress the 'leh' sound but not everyone does. Spanish actor, Antonio Banderas, for example, does not. I'm guessing this is a regional thing. Also, I've come to the conclusion that even if I'm not pronouncing my name the absolute correct way, it doesn't matter because the majority of people I've ever met or talked with pronounce it the way I do so I'm fine with it.
I think your dd would have a minimum of explaining to do. People can easily be educated. I've noticed that young people (under 30) have less of a problem than senior citizens. Why, I don't know. I also think your dd would love her name just as I do. Oh, and I'm with you on not spelling it Elaina. Dumbing down never serves anyone, imo.
BTW, I've never known another Elena, but I did grow up with a Helena who pronounced it heh-LAY-na.
This message was edited 3/24/2010, 10:45 PM
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The Ell-LAY-na pronounciation grates my nerves. I prefer El-LEE-na.
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Personally, I didn't even know it could be pronounced ELL-leh-na until I joined this site. I've always pronounced it eh-LAY-na. I was a figure skater for many years and came across/saw many Russian Elenas who pronounced it my way.
I don't think it's the obvious pronounciation, though, and I do think she might have to correct people often.
If it were me, I'd just go ahead and use Elena pronounced eh-LAY-na. It isn't so much of a stretch and once she corrects someone once, hopefully they won't need to be told twice.
I don't think it's the obvious pronounciation, though, and I do think she might have to correct people often.
If it were me, I'd just go ahead and use Elena pronounced eh-LAY-na. It isn't so much of a stretch and once she corrects someone once, hopefully they won't need to be told twice.
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I think, if you spelt it Elena, most people would assume it was pronounced ELL-eh-na, so she'd probably have to tell people it was eh-LAY-na quite often. But I do like that spelling. Elaina is quite a pretty way of spelling it too, and would probably lead to more people pronouncing it right. One slightly unusual spelling I've come across before is Elayna/Eleyna which I think would also get the right pronounciation, but it is a bit of an odd way of spelling it. I guess it depends whether you like that spelling or not.
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