Alona? Girl name troubles

NoaP · February 2015

So, I'm having a little girl and have been wanting to get some advice on one of the top contenders on my name list.
I really like the name Alona for a girl. It means "oak" and I am just in love with it!

I don't live in an English speaking country but it's important to me that our daughter's name sound nice and be easy to pronounce when we travel. When I pronounce the name I say it like A-lo-na, with the "lo" part being very "short" and harsh (like the "lo" in the boy's name "Alonzo" if you say it in an Italian accent :-)) not prolonged like in the word "low". This is the correct way to pronounce the name where I live. I am not Italian, btw, just gave Alonzo as an example :-D

However, English speaking people have a different accent, and I'm worried that they will naturally pronounce her name like A-low-na, making it sound alot like "a loner", which will totally bum me out :-(

I had this name in mind for a little girl for a long time and the pronounciation problem is the only downside I see to it.
What do you think? I'm really torn as I love this name but fear it might get mispronounced :-(

bbiutmcph · February 2015

I'm not familiar with the name but pronounce names says it like a-low-na so I'm guessing that's going to be the general way.

valeriemarie24 · February 2015

When I saw the title for this post I thought it was a-low-na too so that's probably how others will say it

knowmeinadifferentlight · February 2015

To be honest, I pronounced it A-low-nah as well. I'm sorry.

nurse714 · February 2015

Uh-low-nuh is how I pronounced it when I saw it. Alana is the sound I think you're going for.

homediva · February 2015

I pronounced as the others did - looks like it rhymes with Aloha to me. I have a friend Alana whose mom pronounces it the way you describe but everyone else just says A-lahn-a.

MamaBish · February 2015

I would say it the A-Low-Na way. Maybe use Alana? That would usually be pronounced the way you want it to.

ckalm5 · February 2015

I have a daughter named Alana

...I agree with the others I would pronounce Alona as a-low-n.a..

SmrBrd2012 · February 2015

I would worry about her being made fun of if she were an introvert. I'd take it super personally if that were my name and people called me "a-loner" especially as a kid. However, if she won't be raised in an English speaking country then I guess it really wouldn't matter all that much.

4N6s · February 2015

Alana?

kmvisioli · February 2015

Agree with pp, I would pronounce it A-low-na and suggest Alana instead.

NoaP · February 2015

Thank you very much, ladies! :-D
Will consider Alana... :-)

Sharon&Paul · February 2015

Our daughter's name is Alana. It is pronounced A-lahn-a. Most people pronounce it correctly. However, if they pronounce it wrong they usually say A - lane - a

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