Elena question

ycristina84

So, I've been watching a lot of "Vampire Diaries" on Netflix (don't judge!) and the name Elena has been steadily growing on me. The husband LOVES IT. But, I pretty much hate the nicknames Elle and Ellie and the way they are taking over the world. How likely is it that she will be in a class with other Elenas because of the sought after Elle/Ellie nicknames? And do you think that people will try to force those cutesy nicknames on our child?

And do you prefer Elena or Helena? We would be pronouncing it El-ay-nah.

cwie828

I totally watch that show too (I'm a little in love with Damon but that's another story). I absolutely love Elena. I think it is so classic and beautiful. To me Elena does not lend itself to the nickname Ellie or Elle simply because I like it how it is...the full name. I think most Ellie's nowadays are Elliana, Elizabeth, Elle, Elise, Eleanor, or the names that end in Elle (Gabrielle, Isabelle, Annabelle, etc).

I definitely prefer Elena. Even though I know the H in Helena is silent, when I look at it it looks like Hell-ay-nuh to me. Not as pretty.

aimee1899

My niece's name is Elena and her nns are Lena, Leni (Lane-e) or Lane. Like pp have said I don't think alot of people will use Ellie for Elena.

Helena, Elena and even Elaine are really the same name, derivatives of Helen. I like them all.

anna7602

I loooove the name Elena (and the only reason it's not on our list is because I have a cousin with this name). It doesn't seem like a "nicknameable" name at all to me and it feels like the likelihood of an Elena becoming an Elle or an Ellie is low.

I prefer Elena to Helena, simply because I don't care for the alternate pronunciations of Helena (like Hell-een-uh) and I feel like you'd have to correct people more than with Elena.

StatlerWaldorf

It is somewhat of a popular name.  It is our top girl name right now.  We plan on using the nickname Lena.  We are going with Elena because I don't want to have to correct people with the spelling Helena.  I don't think the Ellie/Elle nicknames are as obvious with Elena.

Laurakat81

I'm going to say you're probably safe with Elena. I would think most people who like Elle or Ellie or Ella would just simply name their child one of those. But maybe that's just me.

also don't worry about someone trying to force a nickname on her. I was one of two girls named Katharine in my first grade class. My teacher decided to start calling me "Kathy" and I hated it. I was too shy to speak up for myself but I did tell my mom who talked to the teacher for me. My point is that if you simply correct people when she's little then it won't be a problem.

ljtvirkus

Elena

ObLaDi

Love Elena! Very pretty. I agree that the Ellie danger is low. It makes a great name by itself. The one girl I know named Elena occasionally goes by Lanie.

If I saw Helena, I would assume it was pronounced like Bonham Carter.

526SadieSadie

Elena is a huge name in my family, but pronounced E-lay-nuh.  I like Lane(y) or Laina as a nickname. 

I pronounce the H in Helena, as in Bonham Carter.

cookies+milk

If you're going to pronounce it El-lay-nuh, consider spelling it Elaina, and then you can have a nn of Lane or Lanie, as someone suggested.  I wouldn't associate Elena or Elaina with Ella/Ellie, FWIW.  On another note, I know someone whose DD is named Elena and it's pronounced Ellen-uh, which I have never heard of before.  With Elaina, there is less confusion.

kmv68

I also really like Elena, but can understand your concern with nns.  Have you considered Alaina, it is softer with the "a" sound and harder to come up with nns!

bwtsn

I definitely love that name as well!

I'm not worried about the Elle/Ellie nn thing.. After all, they could be worse! haha

Good luck! 

bread&jam

While we sometimes can't control what nicknames come about, I find that most people don't assume a nickname, or nickname rights, and just follow along with what the parents call their child. Both Elena and Helena are very pretty!

Kendalight

I adore Elena. (I also adore the show. lol) 

I would never think to call and Elena Ellie, I'd call her Lena for a nickname.  

I really like the combo of Elena Katherine, which I SWEAR I thought of before I'd even known of Katherine of TVD.  

ycristina84

Kendalight:

I adore Elena. (I also adore the show. lol) 

I would never think to call and Elena Ellie, I'd call her Lena for a nickname.  

I really like the combo of Elena Katherine, which I SWEAR I thought of before I'd even known of Katherine of TVD.  

I looooove Elena Katherine, but I think some of my friends would give me major side eye. Lol. I've even considered Damon as a boy name, which means I must start watching something else ASAP! 

ycristina84

Thanks everyone! Elena is officially on our list I'm glad it's well received an the Elle/Ellie seems unlikely. We would definitely not be changing the spelling. Elena is beautiful the way it is! I'm Spanish and my family will love it that way, and I think it's a pretty intuitive pronunciation, but thanks for all the suggestions! That's why this board rocks