Recap: we love Elena but my husband has a daughter from a previous relationship, Elliona, who goes exclusively by Ellie. (My husband didn’t help name her and only recently connected with her. She lives out of state with her mom and will be 10+ years older than her siblings, so I really want to be considerate of her feelings.) We considered Lena, but it’s too close to our top choice, Luna.
When I brought this concern up to my husband he said, “I thought we decided on Chiquis?” I told him I loved this nickname after watching Mariposa de Barrio and he agreed. I don’t know how I forgot about it! In the show, Chiquis is named after her mom, but always goes by Chiquis. (This is a true story btw, so a real life example of Chiquis!)
So what do you think - can Elliona “Ellie” and Elena Caterina “Chiquis” work together? I’m open to giving her a different name (ex. Caterina Elena, Caterina Tereza, Reina Caterina, Reina Elizabeta, Reina Tereza) if that works better.
Other names we love for reference: Luna Patrizia, Eduardo Antonio “Tito”, Isadora Grazia “Isa”, and Santiago José “Santi”
I do think Elliona and [name_f]Elena[/name_f] are close. It’s definitely not unheard of even for siblings who live together all the time to have very similar names but I don’t think I personally would do it. Are you potentially able to ask Elliona her thoughts on this? She might like the idea and see it as you naming her sister after her, or she may dislike the idea so asking may give you an idea of how she feels.
I also think that [name_f]Elena[/name_f] and [name_f]Luna[/name_f] are very similar sounding for sisters, if that’s something that would bother you. I really like a lot of your other girls options, especially [name_f]Isadora[/name_f]!
It might be something you guys have to decide as it is a very special situation. But if you do [name_f]Caterina[/name_f] in the name, I would use a version of [name_f]Elena[/name_f] that doesn’t end in an a personally. Something like [name_f]Elaine[/name_f] [name_f]Caterina[/name_f] or even [name_f]Caterina[/name_f] [name_f]Claire[/name_f] (Claire means light like Elena)
I guess I don’t understand the point of [name_f]Elena[/name_f] then. You get to use the name but you never get to call her by it? I’m afraid it doesn’t make much sense to me.
It also sounds to me like you really want to use the name but you want the approval of others for it. If you’ve decided that this isn’t a problem for you and your family, then go ahead and use the name. It will always be too close in my opinion but then again, they’re not my kids
I agree with SparkleNinja18 about calling her Chiquis only.
To be fair, with or without Chiquis, I personally think it would be rather weird to use Elena. But you seem set on it, if it doesn’t bother you, go ahead I guess.
If I were Elliona, I would feel slighted. It just sort of feels like her uniqueness isn’t being honoured. (Entirely different story though if you put [name_f]Elena[/name_f] as a middle name.)
Are there any other E names you like that be a connection to Elliona without feeling like a photocopy? It could help tie the siblings together:
I still wouldn’t do it. [name_m]Even[/name_m] with Chiquis, they’re very close and kind of like just a rehash. [name_f]My[/name_f] mum liked the name [name_u]Gray[/name_u] for a boy and my name is [name_f]Grace[/name_f] and I feel like I would have always found that annoying if she’d used [name_u]Gray[/name_u] for my brother
Maybe get Elliona’s opinion on it? Not sure how old she is, but it still might be worth doing
I’m a little confused as on your other post you said to me you couldn’t swap it around to [name_f]Caterina[/name_f] [name_f]Elena[/name_f] as your family calls you [name_f]Caterina[/name_f]? 🤷 [name_f]Reina[/name_f] is nice and I feel would go quite nicely with sisters [name_f]Luna[/name_f] & [name_f]Isadora[/name_f], as you said you’d be using those names for potential daughters first anyway…
Elena is still a very special name in our family. Similar to how Eduardo is a special name, even though he’ll likely be Tito all the time. It’s just a common tradition in both of our families to have honorary names and then individual nicknames. I understand that it might not make sense to you, but it’s different for everyone. I’m more trying to get perspective regarding Ellie, as it’s hard when you’re close to the situation to understand the full scope of things. I’m not seeking approval (if that were the case, my names would look a lot different), but I am looking to better understand what it might be like to be in Ellie’s shoes. I can’t gather that knowledge without asking, which is why I enjoy sharing and participating on here.
It was more so because two Caterinas would be confusing. However if she’s Chiquis it’s not really a problem. Similar to having two Eduardos but one is Tito. They’d be named after us but they’d be Tito and Chiquis, not Eduardo and Caterina. I think it would be seem weird to some but it’s normal for us.
And yes, I do like Luna and Isadora first, but Elena is a name we agreed on quite early on and circumstances have changed since then. It was just something I wanted to get perspective on. From what I gather on here, it’s not uncommon for people to build up their list of potential names….
I was mostly just trying to get perspective on how Ellie might feel, as it’s hard to fully understand a situation when you’re close to it. Technically we’re not committed to anything but Elliona at the moment! Anything could change between now and when we have kids.
No it would definitely be dependent on how she feels. I wouldn’t mind using Elena as a middle either way, but I would want Ellie’s blessing if we decided on it as a first. I’m leaning toward no though, as I’m liking some of the alternatives better. Just wanted some perspective. And thank you! I’m starting to love Caterina Elena more and more
Thank you! This is kind of what I was wondering - if we were to go with Elena, would Ellie feel slighted? I could definitely see that being the case, and I would be okay with using Elena as a middle instead.
I love Evelina. I’ve had it on and off my list for a few years now. Not sure why it hasn’t stuck yet! Maybe because I haven’t found a middle I love with it? I love it as an alternative to Elena. Similar sound and feel without being too similar to Elliona. Works better with Luna and Isadora too.
Yes, we’d definitely ask her first. She’s old enough to be roped into the conversation. And that was my concern - they’re technically different, but I can see how Gray/Grace would be annoying, and I want to avoid that.
We’ll definitely ask her. She’s old enough to have a say! But I’ve also had the concern that [name_f]Luna[/name_f] and [name_f]Elena[/name_f] are a bit too close, but Elliona, [name_f]Luna[/name_f], and [name_f]Elena[/name_f] just seems like wayyyy too much. So I’m thinking we’ll go with something else. I’m not in love with [name_f]Reina[/name_f], but I’m loving [name_f]Evelina[/name_f]
I’m glad you like [name_f]Isadora[/name_f]! It’s a gem, in my opinion.
[name_m]Ah[/name_m], I didn’t fully understand the question then. [name_f]My[/name_f] reply originally included a part like if I were Elliona I would find it rather annoying but later removed that part in case it sounds offensive to you.
