I’m totally in love with the name [name_f]Elena[/name_f]. But everyone I mention it to tells me it’s too close to my other kid’s names. I love it so much I might be able to overlook it, but I guess a part of me feels the same way.
I’m looking for a name that sounds feminine and sounds great in Spanish and [name_f]English[/name_f]. [name_f]Elena[/name_f] is just perfect for us.
Please help me to not love it as much, if it’s even possible.
Some other names I’ve been thinking of lately are:
I love [name_f]Clara[/name_f], [name_f]Lara[/name_f], and [name_f]Marina[/name_f].
[name_f]Elena[/name_f] is really similar to your other kids. I’m not sure if you were looking for downsides to [name_f]Elena[/name_f] to help you love it less or not so I’ll blur the few things I can think of in case that’s not the kind of feedback you’re looking for: the similarity to your other kids might mean mixing their names up, [name_f]El[/name_f]- names have been extremely trendy so it might blend in a bit with all the other [name_f]El[/name_f]- names, and the pronunciation will likely need clarified a lot since there are several options.
[name_f]Teresa[/name_f] and [name_u]Carmen[/name_u] come to mind for suggestions that work in spanish and english.
yes i do think [name_f]Elena[/name_f] is quite similar to [name_f]Emilia[/name_f] and [name_u]Elias[/name_u]. You could always try [name_f]Helena[/name_f], [name_f]Alana[/name_f], [name_f]Alara[/name_f], [name_f]Lorena[/name_f], [name_f]Samara[/name_f], [name_f]Serena[/name_f]. [name_f]My[/name_f] favorite out of your options is [name_f]Marina[/name_f]! I also think Laia/Amaia might come with spelling/pronunciation trouble.
Well I have an [name_f]Elena[/name_f] and although I love it vey much, the name has ruled out some other names for me because they sound to similar, I don’t think they are Spanish that’s the only thing… but I’ll throw them in anyway
And for what’s worth if the kids go by nicknames then I don’t think it would be too close especially as this is number 12! There’s bound to be some similarities. If [name_f]Emilia[/name_f] goes by [name_f]Em[/name_f] or [name_f]Emmy[/name_f] then having an [name_f]Elena[/name_f] who goes by [name_f]Elly[/name_f] or [name_f]Layna[/name_f] would be fine. [name_u]Elias[/name_u] is close in sound but maybe he goes by [name_u]Eli[/name_u]? I’m not sure nicknames are more used here in Australia so this may not be applicable where you’re from.
[name_f]Elena[/name_f] is a great name! I see what you mean about multiple E names, but it doesn’t sound terribly similar to your other kids imo, especially if you pronounce Eli@s with a long E. (I actually think [name_f]Amaia[/name_f] sounds the most similar to Emelia)
What about [name_f]Marlena[/name_f]? It has a similar sound but without the E repeat.
Some other ideas:
[name_f]Paloma[/name_f]
[name_f]Flavia[/name_f]
[name_f]Carina[/name_f]
[name_f]Catalina[/name_f]
[name_f]Gloria[/name_f]
[name_f]Leonor[/name_f]
[name_f]Leona[/name_f]
[name_f]Ramona[/name_f]
[name_f]Magdalena[/name_f]
I’m a minority here, but I think Elias, Emilia and Elena are different enough. I also have a thing for Elena ever since I watched/ read The Vampire Diaries. If you really like the name, then go for it, you are the one going through the pregnancy, I think you should have the bigger vote . Yes, there’s def a theme here, the names sound pretty similar and maybe some new friend could mix the names up a bit, but I think it’s not that big of an issue. Especially if they have nicknames. This mixing up names thing… I don’t know… I think kids are smart. Maybe you’d like:
Eluned / Eluney (the pronunciation is pretty similar to Elena… Maybe it would make it more difficult😄 But maybe not😄)
Eloise
Elora
Elettra
Elwing
Eleanore / Elinor / Elsanor
Emeline
Evalina
Evangeline
Elowen
Eowyn
Eleri
Elestern
Ellaria
Elsabell
Eden
Edwina
Edith
Erica
Esme
Esther
Estelle
Edited: I like Clara (pretty ballerina name) and Lara (sexy and smart badass Lara Croft). Oooh, 12th baby, this is so sweet! Then I really think that with 12 babies you are just bound to have some similarities in names. I very much agree with Eloise T .
I think this might be a repeat from me, but I think it’s fine to use it with 12 kids - where it’s likely you will get the same starting initials for at least two kids. [name_m]Just[/name_m] so long as they’re not the final three all lined up, which again, isn’t a major deal but might get the occasional comment. The kids themselves will be living their lives introducing themselves as individuals, they won’t say ‘but btw, I have a brother and sister with a similar sounding name’. I say this as someone with the same starting letter as two of my siblings, it just doesn’t come up.
It doesn’t seem too close to sibling names in my opinion. It does seem quite popular right now though so she may be one of a few in her class.
[name_f]Esmeralda[/name_f] maybe if you like the E sound?
[name_u]Love[/name_u] [name_f]Esmeralda[/name_f] and it fits with [name_u]Elias[/name_u] and [name_f]Emilia[/name_f]. I prefer the Spanish pronunciation of [name_f]Angelica[/name_f] but it’s so pretty in [name_f]English[/name_f] as well:)
I’m on board with [name_f]Elena[/name_f]. I don’t think they’re too similar at all. [name_u]Elias[/name_u] is slightly close, but the endings and vowels are so different I wouldn’t be concerned. You could always shorten her name to [name_f]Lena[/name_f] if it becomes confusing.
I actually think that [name_f]Elena[/name_f] isn’t too close to either [name_f]Emilia[/name_f] or [name_u]Elias[/name_u], especially when it’s considered among nine other siblings’ names! And there is always nickname potential if you did want to make Elena’s name a little more different. If you are set on not using [name_f]Elena[/name_f] at this point, though, I think both [name_f]Clara[/name_f] and [name_f]Marina[/name_f] are choices that you can’t go wrong with!
I love [name_f]Elena[/name_f] too!
I think both your kids have similar sounding names and [name_f]Elena[/name_f] would fit just right with both. It’s close but not too much imo, it shouldn’t be a problem.
I don’t think [name_f]Elena[/name_f] is too close to use! It’s a beautiful name and fits in perfectly. It sounds like you love it. I do as well and don’t see any issue. Congrats on baby #12!!! Wow!!
especially if you’re pronouncing it Eh-Lay-nuh
If you really like the name, then go for it, you are the one going through the pregnancy, I think you should have the bigger vote 
(pretty ballerina name) and Lara 
(sexy and smart badass Lara Croft). Oooh, 12th baby, this is so sweet!
Then I really think that with 12 babies you are just bound to have some similarities in names.
