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HelpOlena
I know I asked about this specifically compared to Odessa a few days ago, but what do you think of Olena? How do you like it compared to other Helen cognates?
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Personal Name List:
https://www.behindthename.com/pnl/187938
Guilty Pleasure Name List:
https://www.behindthename.com/pnl/187938/140061
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Personal Name List:
https://www.behindthename.com/pnl/187938
Guilty Pleasure Name List:
https://www.behindthename.com/pnl/187938/140061
This message was edited 3/25/2022, 6:16 AM
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Replies
I think it’s a lovely name. I don’t think it is a name that in a few years people will say “Oh, Olena like the Ukrainian First Lady.” It’s a fairly common name in Slavic countries. I also like Elena and Yelena.
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I don't like it, prefer Elena
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I'm not a fan of the sound. It makes me think of olé and of Olena Selenska. In the Ukraine I think it would be a common name and not particularly associated with anyone. But in English speaking countries people would automatically think Olena Selenska and associate the name with politics and the war.
She seems like a good person and what is happening in Ukraine is terrible but I always find naming kids after politicians or first ladies a bit risky. People in the public eye who are still alive and have an uncommon name mainly associated with them are always risky, in my opinion. Same with actors or popular film/TV series characters with an unfinished storyarch. You just never know what they may do and then your child's name is forever associated with them. I think after the Game of Thrones finale many people regret their Khaleesi or Daenerys name choice. Bill Clinton probably seemed like a good namesake to many people until his affair came out. Now with William that wouldn't have mattered because it's common but with Clinton it might have. Many people thought Kevin Spacey was a legend until it came out that he had molested people. So I would never pick from this category of names even though the person seems lovely.
I think she'll also always have to say "No, not Elena, Olena". I would also find it a bit odd and slightly cringe-y if the average person without ties to Ukraine named a kid Olena at the very moment. Not that I object in general to people using Ukrainian names or names from other cultures, I have absolutely no problem with that and love many Japanese names, for example.
If you have been to Ukraine even for a visit as a tourist or have any connection I think it is fine.
She seems like a good person and what is happening in Ukraine is terrible but I always find naming kids after politicians or first ladies a bit risky. People in the public eye who are still alive and have an uncommon name mainly associated with them are always risky, in my opinion. Same with actors or popular film/TV series characters with an unfinished storyarch. You just never know what they may do and then your child's name is forever associated with them. I think after the Game of Thrones finale many people regret their Khaleesi or Daenerys name choice. Bill Clinton probably seemed like a good namesake to many people until his affair came out. Now with William that wouldn't have mattered because it's common but with Clinton it might have. Many people thought Kevin Spacey was a legend until it came out that he had molested people. So I would never pick from this category of names even though the person seems lovely.
I think she'll also always have to say "No, not Elena, Olena". I would also find it a bit odd and slightly cringe-y if the average person without ties to Ukraine named a kid Olena at the very moment. Not that I object in general to people using Ukrainian names or names from other cultures, I have absolutely no problem with that and love many Japanese names, for example.
If you have been to Ukraine even for a visit as a tourist or have any connection I think it is fine.
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