Honest opinions needed!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-28-2006
Honest opinions needed!!
14
Sun, 01-29-2006 - 1:21pm

Hi, I'm Alessia Bennett and my husband Jacob and I are expecting our first on 6/22/06. We love the name Laina (Lay-nuh) and were pretty set on it, but now are wondering if we should use it as a nick name instead. The only obvious option we can think of is Elaina (which im not thrilled about). We are perfectly happy with Laina but don't want it to cause problems down the road. Also, what does everyone think about the spelling. This is the Latin way to spell it (we didn't make it up). Other variations we've seen are Lana (but then its pronounced Lah-nuh) and Lena (we're not sure if this is Lay-nuh, Len-uh, or Leen-uh). Input is greatly appreciated.

Another thing, we want to use Amelia "millie" and Eloise sometime down the road. I don't really need siblings names to be matchy in sound or style but want to make sure this isn't too much of a stretch. Also, our family and friends HATE Eloise. They really think it is an awful name. In the end, as long as my husband and I love it thats all that counts, when she's here I'm sure it will grow on them. I'd just like to here anyone's honest opinion of the name, I dont want my daughter growing up with a name she hates.

Thanks in advance!

Alessia

Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-26-1999
Sun, 01-29-2006 - 1:37pm

Hi there, (over there!) Alessia.

I think that Laina on it's own is just fine. It doesn't seem too nick-namey, imo. I like that spelling too. Lena seems logical as well, but some people might pronounce that different ways. Laina seems to the most straight forward for sure.

I love Amelia as I said on the other board. The style isn't *perfect* w/Laina, but it doesn't clash at all. The same thing goes for Eloise. All of your family & friends hate that name? That's silly. It's lovely! All that matters though is that you love it.

Hope this helps!

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2005
Sun, 01-29-2006 - 1:40pm

I love the name Elena, which is pronounced Eh-lay-nuh, with the nickname Lena (pron. Lay-nuh). I know a two people with this name (one an adult, one in my three year old's preschool class) and I think it's gorgeous.



Photobucket
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2006
Sun, 01-29-2006 - 2:22pm
I like Laina-with this spelling. Laina Bennett has a nice ring to it, flows good. So does your other choices Amelia and Eloise although if you give your first 2 rather normal names then the last one a very old fashion name, she might not appreciate it-but then again, just like you she may love it. I found the best thing to do is not tell the family names until you know for sure or even until the baby is born otherwise your never going to please everyone-trust me with baby #2 on the way I know so we're keeping this one a surprise! Good luck!
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-09-2005
Sun, 01-29-2006 - 2:52pm
I think all three names are beautiful- I love them all! I like the spelling of Laina. I agree that if you used any other spellings, it would get mispronounced. I like it and think it works as a full name. I don't think you need to use it as a nn.

                             
Avatar for laniesmama
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-16-2003
Sun, 01-29-2006 - 2:56pm

I think you should name her Laina. That's the name you like and why give her Elaina if you don't like it or the other two and face pronunciation issues her whole life? Also, I think it's really pretty and it's not common--- which makes it perfect in my book.

-Amy
#3 edd 3/18

src="http://i665.src="http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh64/irishbluehen/AiliHugh.gif">

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2005
Sun, 01-29-2006 - 3:51pm
Definately love the name Laina on its own!

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-29-2006
Sun, 01-29-2006 - 4:13pm

Hello Alessia,

I am struggling with names myself!

With regard to your questions, I think Laina is beautiful! Sounds elegant & exotic. Spelling is nice, too. Sounds like it looks. Syllables & stressing on the syllables works well with your last name, Bennett (LAI-na BEN-net). Only potential pitfall is for "teasing", such as "Lay ya"! Not the most horrible thing to endure, but something to consider.

Elania is nice, too, but I like Laina better.

Lana makes me think of Lana Turner...not the pronunciation you want, but still glamourous!

Lena makes me think of Lena Horne...again, not the pronunciation you want, but very glamourous!

Amelia / Millie: I like Amelia because it makes me think of Amelia Earhart...strong, daring, groundbreaking! Feminine, but not "diminutive". Millie is OK, but sounds a bit "preppy".

Eloise: Sounds very old fashioned. However, names like this are coming back into favor, so it probably would not be considered out of the ordinary from her future classmates. If your relatives hate it, consider what nickname they will inevitably choose call her instead.

I hope this helps!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2005
Mon, 01-30-2006 - 1:21am

I think it would work fine on its own, but if you want to give her a longer given name for more options down the line, you could use Delaina (a variant of Delaney/Delanie), Delaine or Leana (lay-ana). HTH! :)

~Kelli


Powered by CGISpy.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-23-2005
Mon, 01-30-2006 - 3:00am

Laina is a beautiful name on its own, and I don't think of it as a nickname. I like Eloise- its fresh to me, but it was out of the running for my daughter (EDD 5-27-06) when I considered the NN Lois (which I don't like- makes me think of Superman). Laina won't get mispronounced. Lena I love, but only when its pronounced LEE-na, not LAY-na. So, I think that variant would be ambiguous for people. :) I love the name Annalena, or Annalina...that would make a very pretty longer name if you wanted.

HTH,
Erin

Photobucket

<

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2004
Mon, 01-30-2006 - 9:48am
There is a Laina in my sons preschool class & I love it!

Pages