Like the poster below, I’m having a bit of namer’s remorse. We started out wanting to name our dd [name]Lena[/name]–but pronounced “[name]Lenna[/name].” Since her middle name was going to be a family name, we decided her first name should be more substantial than just [name]Lena[/name]. I did some googling and found examples of women, mainly in the 19th Century, who were named [name]Eleanor[/name] and used the nickname [name]Lena[/name], which is what we did. However, now we have a situation where our dd has an unusual nickname to [name]Eleanor[/name] and an unusual pronunciation to that nickname. It seems that people just have a lot of trouble with it, and I don’t want this to be a difficulty her whole life.
So, we were thinking of:
Keeping [name]Lena[/name] as a nickname to [name]Eleanor[/name], but pronouncing it the normal way–[name]Lina[/name] (like [name]Lena[/name] Horne). Note: [name]One[/name] concern with this is that [name]Lina[/name] doesn’t sound at all connected to the name [name]Eleanor[/name]. At least [name]Lenna[/name] sounds similar to the middle vowel in [name]Eleanor[/name].
Getting rid of [name]Eleanor[/name], and just using the name [name]Lena[/name] with our current pronunciation of it-- “[name]Lenna[/name].”
[name]Just[/name] staying the course. I do love both names.
I would just stick with what you have. [name]Lena[/name] nicknamed [name]Eleanor[/name] makes perfect sense to me and I would most like pronounce it [name]Lay[/name]-nah or [name]LEN[/name]-nah vs ([name]LEE[/name]-nah).
And another thing I’d like to add: nicknames don’t have to make sense. Some of the most traditional names we have have tons of default nns that don’t really make sense. EX:
I really like what you have going. My name is [name]Haley[/name] ( pronounced Hay-[name]Lee[/name]) and I answer to [name]Hal[/name] most of the time. Some people have a problem with it at first , but everyone catches on. My best friend is named [name]Hannah[/name] and we call her [name]Hank[/name]. Most nicknames vary from the given name so what you have is beautiful and gives your daughter both a cute nickname a very traditional respectable given name.
I think the question is, is your daughter an [name]Eleanor[/name]? [name]Do[/name] you love that name? Because at the end, a nickname is just that, a nickname. You can call her [name]Lenna[/name] but try with all your might, there are bound to be others along your daughter’s life that will call her [name]Lena[/name] or come up with another nn for her.
For your option 2, I don’t see how getting rid of [name]Eleanor[/name] is going to solve the [name]Lenna[/name] pronunciation issue. If you are determined that her name be [name]Lenna[/name], then changing her name to [name]Lenna[/name] is the only way you are going to get this pronunciation. [name]Lena[/name] is [name]Lina[/name] to most people… and maybe nowadays, you will get people saying [name]Lay[/name]-na… but not [name]Len[/name]-na.
If you love both names… stay the course. It seems like too much paperwork for a change that might not actually get around the problem you are experiencing.
Personally, I feel [name]Lenna[/name] makes a young and very personal nickname (from you to your daughter)… [name]Eleanor[/name] is just a beautiful and classic name… and [name]Lena[/name] will invariably make an classy adult nickname, for everyone else but the family, in your daughter’s life. After all, if you picture it, surely it wouldn’t matter that 20 years from now, your daughter’s colleagues are calling her [name]Lena[/name], instead of your endearing [name]Lenna[/name].
I don’t understand all the fuss. If you want her nn to be pronounced [name]Lenna[/name], then why don’t you just start writing it that way, therefore ending the confusion. Keep her proper name [name]Eleanor[/name] and write her abbreviated nn as [name]Lenna[/name] instead of [name]Lena[/name]. This is the easiest solution and does not involve any legal paperwork.
I recommend staying the course and continuing to use [name]Lena[/name] pronounced [name]Lenna[/name]. I agree that you could try writing it that way if it helps alleviate some of your worries. I know a 25 year old [name]Lena[/name] pronounced [name]Lenna[/name] and while yes when she meets someone new she often has to correct it, it doesnt seem to phase her and ppl get it right the second time around.
hmmm-if you want it pronounced [name]Lenna[/name] you could spell it that way, or just correct people, as if it is a nickname, I think it’s OK to spell it whatever way you want! if you like both names, I’d say keep it the way it is!
I love [name]Eleanor[/name] and I think [name]Lena[/name] is a fine nickname for it! I’d maybe suggest spelling it phonetically as [name]Lenna[/name], but I think either way it’s great. Stay the course, is my vote!
[name]Hi[/name]! My Mom’s name is [name]Eleanor[/name]… so I love it
What I love about names like [name]Eleanor[/name] is that they lend themselves to many nicknames -[name]Ellie[/name], [name]Nell[/name], [name]Ella[/name], or your new nn, [name]Lenna[/name]. I’ve appreciated that versatility with my own name. When I was a child, I had one nn, grew older, moved away from home and used a different nn to help re-invent myself. Then I grew up and decided to my full name… but I have people from all stages in my life who still call me by my old nns. Now I feel nostalgic about my previous nns. You wouldn’t have that depth in a name if you went with just [name]Lenna[/name] or [name]Lena[/name]. You’ve given your daughter a strong, beautiful name and a fun, cute nn. I think they both work and everyone else just needs to get on the bandwagon -and they will.
I would actually advise a name change to [name]Lenna[/name] with two Ns. I’m certain no one would ever confuse pronunciation that way, whereas I’ve personally never seen an alternate pronunciation of [name]Lena[/name] other than “[name]Layna[/name]” or “[name]Lina[/name],” and believe me I would have noticed since I am called [name]Lina[/name] by friends and I always keep a watch out for names similar to it. I like [name]Lenna[/name] as a nickname to [name]Eleanor[/name], but I would just spell it differently and wave goodbye to people’s confusion hehe
Thanks, everyone. I think we will stay the course. I really prefer the spelling [name]Lena[/name] with one N, rather than with two Ns. The two Ns is something we considered at the beginning and decided against for aesthetic reasons. I do know of people who pronounce the name with one N (and it is the way the name is pronounced in a few other countries). It is probably true that she will have multiple nicknames in her life, but I do think she is an [name]Eleanor[/name], so I’m glad she will always have that option.
[name]Eleanor[/name] nn [name]Lena[/name]/[name]Lenna[/name] is adorable! I absolutely say keep it–you love both her name and her nn, and it seems like you’re only worried about people having trouble with the nn. People will catch on! I’ve heard of Evies who say it like EVV-ee not EE-vee; an [name]Elle[/name] whose name was always pronounced [name]Ellie[/name] (and she didn’t go by the nn [name]Ellie[/name], either–I was so confused by this for the longest time! lol), Lenas pronounced like [name]LAY[/name]-nah, etc. People catch on. Especially once your daughter reaches a certain age, her circles will stay the same for a good many years before it changes again–and when you do have to introduce her, you can just explain it. You are obviously in love with [name]Eleanor[/name] nn [name]Lena[/name], so I would still keep it. Sometimes people are bullheads when it comes to picking up on something, but if you keep to it I don’t think it should be a problem!
[name]Just[/name] spell is [name]Lenna[/name] when ever you write it out (i.e. facebook, text message, on paper for daycare etc) people will eventually get the hint and start pronouncing it they way you want.
I like [name]Lena[/name] (lee-nuh)
If pronunciation is important then change the spelling to [name]Lina[/name]/[name]Lynna[/name]
You could also go with [name]El[/name]/[name]Elle[/name] or [name]Noor[/name]/[name]Nora[/name] or [name]Lea[/name] or just [name]Lynn[/name]/[name]Len[/name]
[name]Eleanor[/name] is a lovely name with lots of nn possibilities so no point in changing it
I would stay as you are. I think a year is a bit too long to then start changing and if you love the names then I wouldn’t let others put you off. People who know you will get to know the name and others don’t really matter that much. There are lots of diff spellings and pronunciations of names these days
Why don’t you just start spelling it “[name]Lenna[/name]” if you’re going to pronounce it like [name]Lenna[/name]. And if you’re going to call her “[name]Lena[/name]” then spell it [name]Lena[/name].
