DH's great-great grandmother's name was Michelena, and when I heard the name I immediately wanted to use it. But I've gone back and forth since then. DH likes it, and I know his grandmother (whom I'm close to) would be very pleased. But I'm not as sure now...
1. Looking at the name, how would you pronounce it? (It's pronounced mick-ah-LEEN-uh.)
2. Do you like that spelling, or does "Michelina" look better to you? (DH's family swears it's spelled with the 'e,' but in research I've only ever seen it with an 'i.' I was sure on the wedding program DH's grandmother showed me it was spelled with an 'i,' too).
3. Do you like it as a first name, or do you think it has more potential as a middle name?
Thanks!
Re: First Impressions of "Michelena"
My personal opinion is that a name honoring someone else should be used as a middle name. (I am anti "juniors" for this reason.)
In my family I have seen a person struggle to "live up" to the person they were named after. I think it would have been better to give that child their own distinct name, something they could make their own instead of trying to be someone else.
That being said, I do like the name, but I think that you'll have a pronunciation issue. in girls names "Mich-" is often said like, "Mish-" as in Michele.
I think it's ok, but this is what I immediately thought of:
https://www.michelinas.com/brand_1lean_gourmet.aspx
Oh, and I'd also pronounce it like "Mish," like Michelin Tires.
I knew how to pronounce it, but I also thought of the crappy frozen food.
Thanks, all! I think I'm leaning towards using it as a MN specifically because I hate the NN Mickey and would never want to hear my daughter called that.
I've never heard of that frozen food....must be a regional thing.
I love it!
I knew how to pronounce it but that's probably because my DD's name is Michela. Her NN is Meeka and I think Meeka can be used for Michelina too.
This was my first thought as well
I thought of a beer first, but I'm uncultured
1. I initially pronounced it Mick - eh - layna
2. I would triple check the spelling and then spell it the way it she had it. If you can find her wedding program, obit, mail etc. with her actual name, that would be super helpful.
3. I think it could go either way personally. If you both love it, and don't have a name that tops it, then first name seems the obvious place.
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I would say Mick-uh-lean-uh.
But this is a brand of frozen dinners, so that's immediately what I thought of.
Ethan Michael - 12/21/09
Norah Jewel - 2/26/14
1. Mick-uh-LEENuh - just the way you wrote it.
2. Spell it the original way. Michelena. It looks right.
3. First name. I love it.
Married since 06/19/2004|Anna born 11/19/2006|Charles born 11/1/11
Double undergrad graduation May 2011| Me: Psychology, DH: Communication| A long journey!
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I read it as Michelle -ina so I thought it was a diminutive of Michelle, which happens to be my sisters name. My dad called her Mick for short though.
I'd guess with either spelling you will have to clarify the pronunciation. I guess because of that I'd use it as a mn. Very pretty and not common.
Ditto! The jingle from the commercials immediately popped into my head. BUT realistically.... children their age won't have any clue about the commercials (long gone) so you're safe in that aspect... as for adults, just tell them it's a family name, and if they're still that rude afterwords to gripe then smack them.
HTH!
I'm not a fan. But I think its very special that you wish to honor your grandmother. What about using it as a middle name?
DItto