How would you spell it?

deo

Right now I'm really liking the name Alaina/Elena/Elaina for a girl. Pronounced Ah-Lay-Nah.    I like the sound of the name but I'm not sure how to spell it.  

Originally I thought just to spell it Alaina because growing up I only knew one person with that name and that is how she spelled it. I thought it was pretty.  

As I've been talking to other people about it everyone tells me not to spell it that way because it's more of a you-neek spelling.  It doesn't really matter to me how it is spelled as long as the majority of people will pronounce it correctly.  I'd like to go with the most common spelling. 

[poll]

forensicmama

My niece is named Alayna. At first I thought, "Why did my sister spell it wrong?" She was born sometime after Zorro, so I was used to the Elena spelling, but really I think it's pretty spelled with an A. I voted Alaina. I think that's nice. I'm also partial to A-names. Elena is pretty and traditional, but it would probably be pronounced E-lay-nuh more than anything, which is not what you want.

krissyh21

How do you want it pronounced? Ah-lay-na or Ee-lay-na? The majority of people will pronounce it the way you like with the A spelling.

SarahPLiz

For the pronunciation you intend, I'd go with Alaina or Elaina. Elena is eh- LEN- ah to me (its our #1 pick, european pronunciation). I've also seen it spelled Alayna. 

barnwife

mj.reilly:

If you want AH-lain-uh, then spell it ALAINA.

Elena and Elaina is different. I personally pronounce Elena, Ellen-uh (European).

Actually, Elena is A (long a sound) -lay-nuh to Spanish speakers. Anyway, I prefer Elena this way. The Ellen-uh pronunciation seems off to me (though I think the pp is right about it being said that way in some European countries).

jiffy-pop

To me, all those listed are pronounced differently. I voted for Alaina. Elena = E-lean-uh.

TBLilyRose

Alaina would be the one I'd pronounce that way!

barnwife

mj.reilly:

barnwife:

mj.reilly:

If you want AH-lain-uh, then spell it ALAINA.

Elena and Elaina is different. I personally pronounce Elena, Ellen-uh (European).

Actually, Elena is A (long a sound) -lay-nuh to Spanish speakers. Anyway, I prefer Elena this way. The Ellen-uh pronunciation seems off to me (though I think the pp is right about it being said that way in some European countries).

Ellen-un / Eh-LEN-uh is the traditional and correct way to say it in many Eastern European countries. So actually, it is correct.

I don't speak Spanish, and don't plan to, so A-lay-nuh sounds weird to me.

It seems like you were offended by what I wrote, which wasn't what I intended. I merely gave another pronunciation to the "Elena" version (which is the correct and traditional way to say it in Spanish--to use your phrasing) and expressed my opinion about the pronunciation you mentioned. I never said/implied that you/me/the rest of the world needs to speak/learn Spanish. (Frankly, I don't think/want just one world language. I like the variety.) 

And I did point out that I think you are right about Ellen-uh being correct in some European countries. Also, you can think whatever you want about A-lay-nuh. That's the beauty of opinions...we each get one, and to each their own!

inque223

jiffy-pop:

To me, all those listed are pronounced differently. I voted for Alaina. Elena = E-lean-uh.

All different names to me.  I also voted for Alaina...that is the only name I would pronounce the way you want it. 

msmerymac

If it's Al-AH-nuh, spell it Alana or Alannah. <- I knew a girl with that spelling. Maybe Alanna.

 

Alaina, Elena, Elaina - all pronounced Elaine-uh, to me. Maybe I misread your OP.

Bubbalub

msmerymac:

If it's Al-AH-nuh, spell it Alana or Alannah. <- I knew a girl with that spelling. Maybe Alanna.

 

Alaina, Elena, Elaina - all pronounced Elaine-uh, to me. Maybe I misread your OP.

 

I pronounce them the same way, though I am sure I've known for a while that Elena is often pronounced Eh-len-ah. I do love that spelling, though. 

deo

Thanks for the input!    It seems to be split between Alaina and Elena.     I think I'll stick with the Alaina spelling... it seems like Elena can be pronounced either "Ell-len-a" or "Eh-Lay-Na" which might add some confusion.