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HelpElin
I've made the decision to take Arabella out of my top 25 girls' names. It's in the top 100 now and since I already have Araminta on my list, I feel like I won't miss it too much.
I'm thinking of replacing it with Elin. My Welsh family and friends pronounce it as AY-lin, whereas the English would pronounce it as EL-in (Ellen here is more like EL-ən, for reference). I would probably say EL-in but I don't think AY-lin is too different to cause confusion.
The name would also work to honour my mother.
What are your thoughts on Elin?
Thanks!
Jagoda
★ Top 25: https://www.behindthename.com/pnl/136993/97278 ★
I'm thinking of replacing it with Elin. My Welsh family and friends pronounce it as AY-lin, whereas the English would pronounce it as EL-in (Ellen here is more like EL-ən, for reference). I would probably say EL-in but I don't think AY-lin is too different to cause confusion.
The name would also work to honour my mother.
What are your thoughts on Elin?
Thanks!
★ Top 25: https://www.behindthename.com/pnl/136993/97278 ★
Archived Thread - replies disabled
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Replies
Thanks! It does look a little odd, I know.
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EL in and EH lin sound the same when I say them. :) I've always liked it: neat and light on its feet, unlike lumbering Arabella! I know lots of Elins of all ages and a few Elens too - popular name in N Wales.
eta for random nerdery: like Alys/Alis & Alice, it was also a common medieval spelling of Helen.
eta for random nerdery: like Alys/Alis & Alice, it was also a common medieval spelling of Helen.
This message was edited 12/30/2017, 5:06 AM
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I thought it might be pretty popular in Wales but I hadn’t checked and I’ve never met anyone with the name! I didn’t know it was a medieval spelling of Helen, though - I guess because H’s weren’t really pronounced? Thanks!
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Oh, Elina is nice with that pronunciation! Thanks!
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It's actually super confusing because he is Finnish but his wife is not, and they prnounce the name slightly different, so I sorta avoid saying it..
My husband can't say it at all.
My husband can't say it at all.
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I love it! I much prefer the pronunciation Ee-lin, but I don't think EL-in would be mispronounced too much even in the US. I don't like AY-lin quite as much.
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I'm not convinced EE-lin is legit, but in any case it sounds too similar to Ealing, a borough of London, for me to use. Thanks.
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Elif is sweet, I had actually forgotten about it's existence. It wouldn't work to honour but I'll add it onto my long list!
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Well, I asked about this name before, and people told me they'd heard it pronounced EE-lin, while I was pronouncing it EL-in, lol. Anyway, I like it fine. I think it's simple and pretty and I like it a lot more than Arabella, which is poofy and fluffy and sugary and yuck (sorry).
I also agree with you that correcting the pronunciation of a name takes one second, and that it's not a big deal. My name is fairly common, it's a name everyone in the US has heard of, but I have to correct people all the time because of that one extra letter. Use what you like, and teach the kid how to politely correct people. No big thing.
I also agree with you that correcting the pronunciation of a name takes one second, and that it's not a big deal. My name is fairly common, it's a name everyone in the US has heard of, but I have to correct people all the time because of that one extra letter. Use what you like, and teach the kid how to politely correct people. No big thing.
This message was edited 12/29/2017, 8:39 AM
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The EE-lin pronunciation confuses me, I wasn’t sure if I was missing something. I can’t count the amount of times I’ve had to correct people on the pronunciation of my name, and sometimes I don’t even bother, so I was also surprised on the fixation on it here for that reason!
I don’t mind you insulting Arabella at all, haha. Thanks!
I don’t mind you insulting Arabella at all, haha. Thanks!
This message was edited 12/29/2017, 9:40 AM
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Further clarification
... for anyone who doesn't believe the AY-lin pronunciation isn't a big deal, here it is said aloud:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAWpRlW6zwo
... for anyone who doesn't believe the AY-lin pronunciation isn't a big deal, here it is said aloud:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAWpRlW6zwo
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That's not AY-lin to me but EH-lin. EH-lin is also the only pronunciation of the name here in Sweden.
I've seen AY- used before to explain a pronunciation that should be EH (like E in Emily). I don't know if they sound the same in English but to me they are two distinct sounds that are not interchangeable.
https://forvo.com/search/Elin/
ETA: I replied because I can hear that the woman who is saying Elin is Swedish and I just wanted to point out that to me it's EH-lin and not AY-lin and I'm not quite sure how it's different from EL-in which you say is the English way to say the name.
I've seen AY- used before to explain a pronunciation that should be EH (like E in Emily). I don't know if they sound the same in English but to me they are two distinct sounds that are not interchangeable.
https://forvo.com/search/Elin/
ETA: I replied because I can hear that the woman who is saying Elin is Swedish and I just wanted to point out that to me it's EH-lin and not AY-lin and I'm not quite sure how it's different from EL-in which you say is the English way to say the name.
This message was edited 12/29/2017, 9:33 AM
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You can hear the difference between the Swedish and Welsh pronunciation
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They’re pretty similar in Welsh, when I say them in a Welsh accent I can’t tell the difference, but they are different in an English accent. I just didn’t know how else to transcribe the Welsh pronunciation. I thought the pronunciation was just an interesting note, because it isn’t the same as Ellen here and I like that Welsh family and friends say it in the Welsh way.
I had been wondering about the Swedish pronunciation as it’s a bit of a dream of mine to move to Sweden, so thanks for sharing that!
I had been wondering about the Swedish pronunciation as it’s a bit of a dream of mine to move to Sweden, so thanks for sharing that!
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It's pretty familiar here, but I see what you mean!
Arabella is an old favourite of mine so I took a long time to let it go, but now is the time I think.
Arabella is an old favourite of mine so I took a long time to let it go, but now is the time I think.
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In the US, Elin is exclusively associated with Tiger Woods's wife or ex-wife or whatever she is now. Her name is pronounced EE-lyn.
I think Ellen would probably be a less confusing; if you want the Ay-lin sound, Aylin might work better.
I think Ellen would probably be a less confusing; if you want the Ay-lin sound, Aylin might work better.
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Ellen takes away the honouring aspect.
As I’ve said the name works here. I just wanted some general thoughts on it without getting into the pronunciation issues, which are non-existent here.
As I’ve said the name works here. I just wanted some general thoughts on it without getting into the pronunciation issues, which are non-existent here.
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agree
:)
:)
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You can agree but
It works here. The British English and Welsh pronunciations are very very similar when heard. It doesn't matter to me that it isn't as intuitive in the US, even slightly.
I just wanted to know what people thought of it in the context that it works here.
It works here. The British English and Welsh pronunciations are very very similar when heard. It doesn't matter to me that it isn't as intuitive in the US, even slightly.
I just wanted to know what people thought of it in the context that it works here.
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To be clear
This name works where I live. People either know it or can get to grips with it easily.
I was hoping people would be able to give their opinions on it once they knew how it would be pronounced where I live and would be able to look past it not working where they live. The AY-lin pronunciatjon is basically EL-in with a welsh accent. It isn’t that big of a deal.
This name works where I live. People either know it or can get to grips with it easily.
I was hoping people would be able to give their opinions on it once they knew how it would be pronounced where I live and would be able to look past it not working where they live. The AY-lin pronunciatjon is basically EL-in with a welsh accent. It isn’t that big of a deal.
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Ok, you don't need to freak out on everybody. You asked for opinions on a name, and unfortunately people's cultures and cultural predispositions affect how they see a name. We live in a very international society, and having foreign perspectives on a name is something you should be grateful for, not angry about. The fact that your pronunciation doesn't work in the US could mean Elin would face difficulty if she were ever to travel here, or move here, or interact with people from here.
So, my opinion on the AY-lin pronunciation: You either sound like you're saying "Hey, Lynn!" and trying to get Lynn's attention or it sounds like "ailing" like you have an ailment. I also feel the fact that Elin's English and Welsh relatives would pronounce her name differently to be something to avoid, perhaps it would be a name better left for the middle-name slot.
So, my opinion on the AY-lin pronunciation: You either sound like you're saying "Hey, Lynn!" and trying to get Lynn's attention or it sounds like "ailing" like you have an ailment. I also feel the fact that Elin's English and Welsh relatives would pronounce her name differently to be something to avoid, perhaps it would be a name better left for the middle-name slot.
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I'm not freaking out on anyone, but thanks for misreading my normal tone.
It takes a second to correct the pronunciation of a name.
I am not actively encouraging the Welsh pronunciation. I have Welsh family and friends who will use it regardless of whether I do or not.
I have American friends. I live in the most multicultural city in the world. None of them would struggle.
Again, they do not sound different enough to be confusing. I have heard it said in both accents.
I don't know how much clearer I can be before people stop repeating the same thing I addressed in my op, and in basically all of my replies.
It takes a second to correct the pronunciation of a name.
I am not actively encouraging the Welsh pronunciation. I have Welsh family and friends who will use it regardless of whether I do or not.
I have American friends. I live in the most multicultural city in the world. None of them would struggle.
Again, they do not sound different enough to be confusing. I have heard it said in both accents.
I don't know how much clearer I can be before people stop repeating the same thing I addressed in my op, and in basically all of my replies.
This message was edited 12/29/2017, 8:03 AM
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Hi !!!!
If it is honouring so use it wothout problem!
I personally think it is quite weak.
I much prefer the Modern Greek form Eleni.
If it is honouring so use it wothout problem!
I personally think it is quite weak.
I much prefer the Modern Greek form Eleni.
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Unfortunately, Eleni takes away the honouring aspect, but I do like it!
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I like it, but I’ve always heard it pronounced EE-lin. The pronunciation ambiguity could be seen as a problem.
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Please see my response to Serel Channah. Thanks.
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I like it as EL-in, though pronunciation issues mean I prefer Ellen. I would pronounce both Ellen and Elin EL-in. I've never met an Ellen who said EL-ən.
I don't care for AY-lin much. It sounds like a tryndee creation (Ailynn or something) and is not very intuitive from Elin.
Ellen/Elin is fairly dated here but I think it would be delightfully refreshing on a little girl. I'd be a bit sad if she became one of ten zillion little girls called Ella or Ellie, though.
I don't care for AY-lin much. It sounds like a tryndee creation (Ailynn or something) and is not very intuitive from Elin.
Ellen/Elin is fairly dated here but I think it would be delightfully refreshing on a little girl. I'd be a bit sad if she became one of ten zillion little girls called Ella or Ellie, though.
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Then you're clearly not from the UK. Neither EL-in or AY-lin would cause an issue here.
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Guilty as charged. If you live where people are familiar with Elin, I like it (but only as as EL-in).
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As I said, my Welsh family and friends would pronounce it the Welsh way, which is AY-lin. I wouldn't correct that as I'm English and Welsh.
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