See the results of this poll: Jillian vs Elena
Respondents: 96 (This poll is closed)
- Jillian : 25 (25%)
- Elena: 74 (75%)
I think both names are spectacular. In general I prefer [name]Elena[/name] so she got my vote. You could use both [name]Elena[/name] [name]Jillian[/name] or [name]Jillian[/name] [name]Elena[/name] for her full name if you don’t already have a mn picked out.
I think [name]Elena[/name] is a much prettier name. It doesn’t really matter if you told others that her name is [name]Jillian[/name]. You’re entitled to change your mind. Go with [name]Elena[/name] if you’ve always loved it. It’s a great name.
[name]Jillian[/name] is pretty (though I prefer the spelling [name]Gillian[/name]), but I don’t think it holds a candle to [name]Elena[/name].
Another vote for [name]Elena[/name]-- the above comments are pretty much the way I feel about it too.
I really like both names and it sounds like you do too. I would wait until she is born and see which suits her better. [name]Jillian[/name] seems a little bit more happy-go-lucky while [name]Elena[/name] seems more reserved, at least to me. [name]Both[/name] have great nn too. [name]Jill[/name] is underused but so cute and [name]Elena[/name] could be [name]Elle[/name] or [name]Lena[/name]. Lots of great options. I say wait and see who she is after she’s born!
I prefer [name]Elena[/name].
I prefer [name]Elena[/name] over [name]Jillian[/name].
I always love [name]Elena[/name]. [name]Jillian[/name] is pretty too but I honestly think that it cannot compete with [name]Elena[/name]. I understand that you’re shock and angry, but then it’s the name you always love, isn’t it? I think it’s good your husband had a change of heart.
I also agree that you should wait until her birth, but meanwhile, my vote goes for [name]Elena[/name].
Such a cute story! But just like everyone else, [name]Elena[/name] is just so much more unique and fresh compared to [name]Jillian[/name]. Also like everyone else agrees, you could go with [name]Elena[/name] [name]Jillian[/name]; it even flows well! If you had a middle name picked out already, you could always give her two middle names.
Also, consider [name]Jillian[/name]'s nickname, [name]Jill[/name]. Is it a nickname you’re crazy about? Besides, kids can be mean and taunt her with the song “[name]Jack[/name] and [name]Jill[/name]”. [name]Elena[/name] has such a flexible name that the nickname can be [name]Lena[/name] or even [name]Ellie[/name], and you can’t really make fun of that. Other alternatives could be: [name]Lillian[/name], Ellian, [name]Jilliana[/name], Jillena, or even [name]Jena[/name].
Waiting until birth so you can see your girl first can really help influence your decision too. Congrats, either way!
I like [name]Elena[/name] better, and I think it’s actually really sweet that he did that! Knowing how stubborn husbands can be about names, he was showing you that he relents and believes in your choice (and imagine what a cute story this will be to tell elena how she got her name when she’s older…“you were almost jillian, but I really liked elena, then one day daddy came home, kissed my belly and said hi elena! And then we knew” precious!
I really like [name]Elena[/name]!
I prefer [name]Elena[/name], but I think it might be a good idea for you to go in with both names and see which one feels right when she’s born. I also think the two of you should discuss why he suddenly has flip flopped his feelings (you wouldn’t want him to flip flop back suddenly after all).
I also vote for [name]Elena[/name]
how would you guys pronounce [name]Elena[/name]?? my only worry is that people may get confused…
[name]Both[/name] names are beautiful. If you still prefer [name]Elena[/name] to [name]Jillian[/name], go with [name]Elena[/name]. Husbands are weird like that. Mine vetoed all kinds of names for petty reasons when we were naming our daughter, then later said he actually liked some of the names he had vetoed or that I had taken his negative comments as him saying no to a name when really he was just providing commentary (whatever). Anyway, it’s good that this is happening now, before she’s here, as opposed to weeks or months later. I don’t think it’s a big deal to “change” her name at this point. Since you’ve already shared the name [name]Jillian[/name], people may want to give her gifts with her name on them, so once you’ve had a heart-to-heart with your husband, if you realize that you are sure that [name]Elena[/name] is the one, go ahead and spread the word about the change so you don’t end up having to deal with the awkwardness of baby gifts with the wrong name. Or, if you decide to wait until she’s born to choose her name, spread that around so people won’t do gifts with her name on them prior to her birth. Seeing her may help solidify her name, but it may not. For me, seeing my kids helped cross off a name or two, but it wasn’t like the heavens parted and an angel sang out the baby’s chosen name. My preference based on my experiences would be to choose a name before the baby’s birth, but with a bit of openness to change it if need be. Plus, what if you wait until you meet your baby and you think, “This is so [name]Jillian[/name]” and your husband thinks the baby is totally an [name]Elena[/name]? [name]Even[/name] more confusing, right? Something else to consider: You could do [name]Jillian[/name] [name]Elena[/name] or [name]Elena[/name] [name]Jillian[/name], but if you expect to have other children and these are THE names you love, you might wish to “save” one for another daughter. My daughter’s mn is one of my absolute favorite names and I kind of wish I had saved it to use for another child. As much as are concerned with fn/mn pairings on Nameberry, our mns typically get little use in everyday life, so if you have a name you love and want to hear over and over AND you expect to have more children, you may wish to save the name you don’t choose as a fn option for another daughter in the future.
E-[name]LAY[/name]-nuh (or Eh-LA-nuh). It lends itself to the nicknames [name]Elle[/name], [name]Ellie[/name], [name]Ella[/name], [name]Lena[/name], [name]Laine[/name], or [name]Lainey[/name].