I like it. Have you seen the movie "Water for Elephants"? It's one of my favorites and Marlena is the name of Reese Witherspoon's character. Very pretty.
I love Marlena! I taught a girl named Marlaina who went by Lainie. While I didn't care for that spelling, I liked the nickname (and I'm usually not a fan of nicknames!) I think it is a pretty, normal name that works great as a first name!
As I was looking through names I came across Marlena. It's a german combination of Mary and Magdalena. Which I think is perfect for us because my husbands mother is Mary and my mother is Magdalena. I always thought it was Mar-lay-na. I'm not an expert on baby name pronunciation that's just how I have heard it before
Oh just saw your reply about pronouncing Marlena as Marlayna and why you like the name. I think Marlena definitely looks more sophisticated than the Marlayna spelling, but to me I just ready it as Mar-lynn-a or Mar-lean-a. Lena/Lina on it's own is pronounced Lean-a.... and I guess I have only known a Marlayna do it didn't occur to me that they would be pronounced the same.
Either way I think Marlena is lovely however you pronounce it. Just be ready to correct it all the time! No big deal though
I don't mind correcting pronunciation although I think most people will get it. The name has been around for a while. My parents named me Raechel. Which throws people for a huge loop I've gotten everything from Ra-Shell to Reach-el. I don't hold it against them though They meant well. Dad wanted Rae and my mom wanted Rachel.... My mom still cringes when she hears people confused about my name. Doesn't bother me though.
Love this name! It sounds sophisticated to me. I also think of the Wallflowers song but it's a good association. I like the PP's suggestion of the nickname Lainey but find the potential for the nickname Marley to be a bummer.
Re: Marlena?
I like it. Have you seen the movie "Water for Elephants"? It's one of my favorites and Marlena is the name of Reese Witherspoon's character. Very pretty.
eta: And I like it as a FN.
Mr. & Mrs. - Est. 10.03.2009
TTC #1 since 06.2011 Me-24 DH-24
12.2011 SA = Normal
06.2012 First visit with OB/GYN
10.2012 Clomid 50mg + TI = BFN
11.2012 Clomid 50mg + TI = BFN
12.2012 Clomid 100mg + TI = BFN
01.2013 First visit with RE
02.2013 Clomid 150mg + TI = BFN
03.2013 Femara 5mg + TI = BFN
05.2013 Femara 5mg + TI = BFN
06.2013 Femara 7.5mg + TI = BFN
*Taking a break*
BFP #1 5.26.08 DD born 1.4.09
BFP #2 3.11.12 m/c 3.26.12
BFP #3 10.7.12 m/c 10.27.12
BFP #4 2.24.13 ectopic MTX 3.13.13 Right tube removed 3.29.13
BFP #5 5.27.13 DS born 1.22.14
BFP #6 4.14.16
BFP 1- EDD 2/09/11 Missed MC DX @11 weeks D&C- 7/25/10 BFP 2- EDD 12/22/11 Natural MC @ 5w 2d BFP 3- EDD 1/25/12 DD Josephine born 1/16/12
I'm not sure how to pronounce it... Mar-lynn-uh? Mar-leen-uh?
I used to know a Marlayna. It's an unusual name but it fit her very well.
Oh just saw your reply about pronouncing Marlena as Marlayna and why you like the name. I think Marlena definitely looks more sophisticated than the Marlayna spelling, but to me I just ready it as Mar-lynn-a or Mar-lean-a. Lena/Lina on it's own is pronounced Lean-a.... and I guess I have only known a Marlayna do it didn't occur to me that they would be pronounced the same.
Either way I think Marlena is lovely however you pronounce it. Just be ready to correct it all the time! No big deal though