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Baby Names
Ilana?
in Baby Names
OK, background. We are Jewish and to keep with Jewish tradition we want to honor one of my deceased grandparents by using their initial for our child's name. We have the boy name down, we just need help with the girl name. Yesterday my first suggestion was shot down (for the most part). Now are moving on but still looking for an "S" or an "I" name.
Last night DH and I came to the conclusion that we both like the name Ilana (the "I" is the Hebrew spelling). I pronounce it with a soft i, not a hard e if that makes sense (i-lahn-ah, not ee-lahn-ah). Thoughts on Ilana? Would you pronounce it the same way? Do you find the spelling ok? I think the more traditional name and spelling is Alana, although Ilana is a recognized version. We'd obviously need to spell it with an "I" to comply with tradition.
One more thing I should add...DH and I hate weird names, made up names, trendy names, and names that are hard to pronounce. We named my son Michael because we liked that it's a traditional name. I guess my biggest concern is that the name and pronunciation is too unique and may be spelled or said incorrectly --something I've dealt with my whole like and would hate for my kid to deal with.
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Re: Ilana?
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I'm not Jewish, but here's my "outsider's" perspective: I know three Jewish Ilanas of varying ages. Therefore, to me the name seems classic, non-trendy, and traditional in spelling. (I don't know any Alanas, though I do know a couple Christian Alaina/Alaynas.)
I think Ilana is beautiful.
The first time I met an Ilana, I might have thought the name was pronounced i-LAN-ah (rhymes with Hannah). But it was not hard for me to remember once I was corrected once, and now I always think i-LAHN-ah in my head when I meet a new person with the name. I did not/would not try to pronounce it ee-LAHN-ah.
The bump font definitely doesn't help since it looks like Llama. Otherwise I really like it. It flows nicely and is soft and feminine. It's also easy to say.
I've never encountered this name, but I would have pronounced it I-lana like you want it to be.
I think its a beautiful name.
I am Jewish and so I would pronounce it ee-LAH-na because that is the Hebew pronunciation and seeing the "I" at the beginning, I would assume that's what you were going for.
But I bet most people would pronounce it ih-LAH-na.
And Ilana/Alana is one of those names that has a lot of acceptable spellings so I don't think it will look like you are trying to be trendy.
I pronounce it more like ill-on-ah when I first see it, but I've never met anyone named this. I think people will get it when you correct them though. If pp is correct about the traditional Hebrew pronunciation, if that's what you're going for, I'd check it out and make sure you're saying it correctly?
Good luck
I really like it, I would pronounce it like you want it pronounced.
I knew a girl growing up named Ilona. It was pronounced Eye-LOAN-uh. I also thought that was pretty.
Well, my name is Alana, so naturally I am biased towards it and think you've picked a lovely name for your daughter! : )
I must warn you, however, that like you, I have come up against a lifetime of mispronunciation and it drives me crazy!! It's always telemarketers asking to speak with A-lay-na, or the lady at my OB's office calling to confirm the appointment for A-laaaaaaa-na (rhymes with banana). It probably shouldn't bug me as much as it does, but it always has, and I suspect it would get even more butchered if it were spelled Ilana. Then you've got a whole new set of problems!