[name_m]Hi[/name_m] everyone,
We’re trying to choose between [name_f]Marlena[/name_f] and [name_f]Elena[/name_f]. Both are honor names. I think [name_f]Marlena[/name_f] has a glamorous feel and I like that it’s not something you hear every day, but I like the simplicity of [name_f]Elena[/name_f]. We’ll mainly be calling her [name_f]Lena[/name_f] ([name_m]LAY[/name_m]-na) but just can’t decide between the two. Which do you prefer and why? 
Pronounced mar-[name_m]LAY[/name_m]-na and uh-[name_m]LAY[/name_m]-na.
I prefer [name_f]Elena[/name_f]! I think the it has a unique charm and where I live it’s not very common, but it’s familiar.
[name_f]Marlena[/name_f] is coolllllllllll
[name_m]Hi[/name_m] @orangetree94,
Though both names are elegant, [name_f]Elena[/name_f] is the one I would choose, because it is more timeless than [name_f]Marlena[/name_f].
I really like the meaning of [name_f]Elena[/name_f], and the pronunciation, so for you I’d say [name_f]Elena[/name_f]. But if I personally had to use one, I’d go for [name_f]Marlena[/name_f], as [name_f]Elena[/name_f] is quite popular where I live. I like both almost the same amount.
I prefer [name_f]Elena[/name_f].
I agree with the comments above, that [name_f]Elena[/name_f] seems timeless/pretty, while [name_f]Marlena[/name_f] has a coolness to it. I’d go with [name_f]Elena[/name_f], personally. [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] the nickname [name_f]Lena[/name_f]!
I’ve only ever known one girl name [name_f]Marlena[/name_f] growing up. Although timeless, I grew up with many girls name [name_f]Elena[/name_f] / [name_f]Ilena[/name_f] / [name_f]Alayna[/name_f] / [name_f]Alena[/name_f]. I prefer [name_f]Elena[/name_f] over [name_f]Marlena[/name_f], but I think [name_f]Marlena[/name_f] is just so cool and unique. My vote is for [name_f]Marlena[/name_f], I think the nickname [name_f]Lena[/name_f] comes easier from [name_f]Marlena[/name_f] versus [name_f]Elena[/name_f].
My pick would be [name_f]Elena[/name_f]
I prefer [name_f]Elena[/name_f], but I’d love to see someone bring [name_f]Marlena[/name_f] back! It’s got great history and would also lend well to the spunky nickname [name_u]Marley[/name_u].
Definitely [name_f]Marlena[/name_f]. It’s so cool and timeless!
[name_f]Elena[/name_f], definitely!
If she’ll be going by [name_f]Lena[/name_f] anyway, I like [name_f]Marlena[/name_f]. Your description sold it to me. Marilena is another thought.
[name_f]Elena[/name_f] sounds much prettier to me than [name_f]Marlena[/name_f]!