Help Firming up Name Spelling

[LuliB]

Hello y'all --

My little girl is due May 24th, first child, and I've been on here since the beginning, just very quiet and shy ::: and don't really post . We've picked out a name a while ago -- but I'm looking for some feedback on what we've chosen (last minute jitters).

I'm Ukrainian/American, both parents born in Ukraine, with an unusual name -- Ulana. (Properly in Ukrainian pronounced "OO' lya na" -- but the particular soft l and ya sound together are not found in English, so I'm Ulana -- "OO lana" to everyone save Ukes and family which is fine. )

I have always loved having a different name that no one else had, and it's always been a reminder to me of my heritage. I married an English guy I fell in love with in college. He became a citizen four years ago and we're very happy and quite American in our life, surname etc. In naming our girl I wanted to pass on something Ukrainian, but also something easy for everyone to pronounce.

We picked Halyna (alternately spelled Halina) -- which is basically the slavic version of Helen. Techinically the proper way to transliterate the Ukrainian pronunciation of the name, the spelling of Halyna is correct and pronounced ha - (like aha!) - ly (like Lynne) - na. My husband prefers the i spelling, giving you ha - li (like Linda?) - na.

What I want to avoid is the pronunciation of "Huh LINE ah". So, first off, what do you all think? Can you pronounce it? and which spelling? Halyna or Halina?

(For short -- we want to call her Hali -- rhymes with Sally. )

Thanks for giving your opinion -- maybe it will help distract in these last uncomfortable days of suspense and waiting!

[lerlerler]

I would have guessed halyna was hal-lynn-a
and
halina was hal-lean-a

does that help?


regardless, it's pretty!

[Nate'sMama]

Seeing either version - I would pronounce it Ha leen a. Sorry I don't think that's what you wanted to hear. But if you corrected me I would pronounce it any way you wanted

Love the nickname Hali - very, very cute!

[SumnerRain]

Halyna I would pronounce Huh-line-uh

Halina to me would be Hal-lee-nuh/Hal-lih-nuh

Very pretty name BTW

[Shanana]

Originally Posted by lerlerler

halina was hal-lean-a

:

I would be uncertain how to pronounce the other spelling, but I think the proper pronunciation would not be my first guess.

It is a beautiful name, but as someone who has grown up having to constantly correct the way people say my name (over and over and over) I can understand wanting to choose the best spelling.

Have you thought of Halynna? I think people would say it correctly with that spelling. She will still have to spell it for those who have only heard it, but it would make it easier from one side of the equation at least.

Good luck. It truly is a lovely name .

[LuliB]

Thanks so much! All your comments and how you would read it DO help. I did think that the Halina would be the furthest off from the pronunciation I'm looking for. And Shanana, Halynna could very well be a good way to go! Thanks for the support! Since I've been keeping the name a secret I've had no one to talk to about it.. and in these last days of getting things ready.... I just needed some input! Thanks again.

[adtake]

We picked Halyna (alternately spelled Halina) -- which is basically the slavic version of Helen. Techinically the proper way to transliterate the Ukrainian pronunciation of the name, the spelling of Halyna is correct and pronounced ha - (like aha!) - ly (like Lynne) - na. My husband prefers the i spelling, giving you ha - li (like Linda?) - na.

What I want to avoid is the pronunciation of "Huh LINE ah". So, first off, what do you all think? Can you pronounce it? and which spelling? Halyna or Halina?

(For short -- we want to call her Hali -- rhymes with Sally. )

I love the name! So pretty and special reason to use the name. I would prounce it like I have highlighted. And love Hali...it's my neighbors little girls name.

Good luck!

[Molck]

Originally Posted by Shanana

Have you thought of Halynna? I think people would say it correctly with that spelling. She will still have to spell it for those who have only heard it, but it would make it easier from one side of the equation at least.

This is just what I was thinking, if you're hoping to get the right pronunciation from the spelling.

That said, I would stick with the Halyna and just count on having to tell people how to pronounce it. My name is Maile (pronounced MY-lay), and people almost never get the pronunciation right based on the spelling. But I'm happy my parents kept it true to my heritage rather than trying to change it for pronunciation reasons.

[ani'smommy]

I would go with the traditional spelling.

My DD is Anneke (anika) but we are of Dutch heritage and wanted the Dutch spelling. I don't mind telling people how to say her name, though. We also live in a pretty Dutch community, so it's not terribly uncommon to see see this spelling. Especially among the older generation.

She also goes by Ani a lot, anyway, and everyone can say that.

ETA: Ooops! I didn't realize this is a DDC! Sorry for butting in!

[GiGiQ]

Originally Posted by SumnerRain

Halyna I would pronounce Huh-line-uh

Halina to me would be Hal-lee-nuh/Hal-lih-nuh

Very pretty name BTW

That sums it up for me.