Is it just me?

So I really like [name]Elena[/name] (prn. Eh-[name]LAY[/name]-Nah) but I live in Australia and in the town I live everyone pronounces things phonetically so it would be mispronounced as Eh-[name]LEE[/name]-NAH. I know this name is quite common in the United States. I am also guessing that based on its use on television eg. Vampire Diaries, people pronounce it instinctually and using the Spanish pronunciation, but where I live most of the residence are elderly. I just wondered how many time a little girl would have to correct people on her name. I knew an [name]Alaina[/name] whom I am not really fond of, so that rules out that spelling; but really it seems a bit trendy anyway. So then it got me thinking, would using a grave accent over the second E work or is it pointless? I’m starting to think that if I ever use it, it’ll be as a middle name. What do you think, Berries? :slight_smile:

Australian here-
Although the grave accent might help some people (who recognize what it means) I don’t think it will make much of a difference. Its a lovely name though, and I think once you correct people they will get it right.

If you’re worried about [name]Elena[/name] not being pronounced the way you want, there’s always [name]Elaina[/name]. :slight_smile:

Aussie as well, i first saw this name as a character in a book and pronounced it phonetically but once i knew the correct pronunciation it was easy to remember, as long as ppl hear hows it pronounced its no drama…

The Spanish pronunciation is not quite eh-lay-nah. There was a post not too long ago about it. This is the Spanish pronunciation of [name]Elena[/name] : Pronunciations for Elena (from Elena Anaya to Cuando yo me casé, Elena y tú ya habían roto.)

However, most English speakers default to Eh-lay-nah. If thats not what [name]Elena[/name] would get you in Australia, I would use [name]Elaina[/name].