New Post
Search
HelpEliana-is it a foreign name?
We are considering Eliana as a middle name for our daughter to come. However, we have recently heard some feedback from our families and friends, all with different opinions.
Our family seems to think it sounds Russian, and said it would be odd for us to name a girl with a "foreign" sounding name, since we're just plain ole white Americans. Then we have some Hispanic friends who said it's a very popular name among the Hispanics, my brothers girlfriend said she "goes to high school with 5 or 6 Mexican Eliana's."
So my question is- does it sound foreign to you? I don't want my child to have a name that sounds weird on her, but I'm not sure what to think now. I know here on the site it says that Eliana is either Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, or Hebrew. I just wasn't aware of its popularity among Hispanics, or aware it sounded Russian:)
Our family seems to think it sounds Russian, and said it would be odd for us to name a girl with a "foreign" sounding name, since we're just plain ole white Americans. Then we have some Hispanic friends who said it's a very popular name among the Hispanics, my brothers girlfriend said she "goes to high school with 5 or 6 Mexican Eliana's."
So my question is- does it sound foreign to you? I don't want my child to have a name that sounds weird on her, but I'm not sure what to think now. I know here on the site it says that Eliana is either Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, or Hebrew. I just wasn't aware of its popularity among Hispanics, or aware it sounded Russian:)
Archived Thread - replies disabled
1
Replies
Nope, I don't think it sounds too foreign at all. And even if it does, use it anyway. I love Eliana, btw. It's a gorgeous name that I can't use so I'm always happy to see someone else get to use it. ;-)
This message was edited 7/26/2014, 3:33 PM
1
When I hear Eliana I think "Hebrew", so it doesn't seem all that foreign to me. I don't think it'd be weird to use at all.
1
It does sound rather foreign, but it's still a very beautiful name. Don't let the fact that you're not from those places stop you from using it. If your ancestry is Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, or Hebrew, that might make it easier.
1
Eliana is very pretty. I think you need to stop telling family and friends the names you are considering! :)
Even if it was "foreign" (which I don't really think it is) that would be irrelevant because it is a middle name.
Are you thinking Grace Eliana or Grace Victoria Eliana or Grace Eliana Victoria? I really like Grace Eliana.
Even if it was "foreign" (which I don't really think it is) that would be irrelevant because it is a middle name.
Are you thinking Grace Eliana or Grace Victoria Eliana or Grace Eliana Victoria? I really like Grace Eliana.
1
Thanks:) I actually told J yesterday that even if we decide before she's born, we're going to tell everyone we haven't decided until she is born:) then it won't matter much!
I'm not sure yet! My boys absolutely love the name Victoria, I don't really know why? But I'm sort of just to the point where I would rather do Grace Eliana Victoria, to please the boys:) I do think it would be special for her to have a name that her brothers picked out:) I know it will look weird when all my boys only have one middle name,but. Ah, well. I'm only getting one girl:)
I'm not sure yet! My boys absolutely love the name Victoria, I don't really know why? But I'm sort of just to the point where I would rather do Grace Eliana Victoria, to please the boys:) I do think it would be special for her to have a name that her brothers picked out:) I know it will look weird when all my boys only have one middle name,but. Ah, well. I'm only getting one girl:)
1
Not American, not an English speaker, so do what you will with my opinion. What is a "foreign" name in the US anyway? Eliana is used in Italy, it's used by Jews. I don't find it weird in English, or see why the fact that it's used by Hispanics is such a problem.
Plus it's not like middle names get much use anyway.
Plus it's not like middle names get much use anyway.
1
No
It's Hebrew, and it's trendy. At least in my area, which is mostly conservative Christians. It would fit right in, and it's my 1 yo niece's name (but they altered the spelling... grr).
It's Hebrew, and it's trendy. At least in my area, which is mostly conservative Christians. It would fit right in, and it's my 1 yo niece's name (but they altered the spelling... grr).
1
To me it doesn't sound foreign. There's a bit of a trend going on at the moment with names ending in -ana, especially -iana so to me it sounds like it belongs to the trend. I quite like most of the names that are becoming popular that fit this style (Ariana, Indiana, Liliana etc.)
1
Agreed. Go for it!
1
I don't think it matters tbh. Eliana fits in with other trendy names for girls like Isabella, Liliana, Sophia to name a few. I think it would suit a white baby girl just fine.
1
Eliana sounds Italian/Spanish rather than English if that's what you mean, but lots of popular names are like that (Isabella, Ariana, etc.). It is definitely not "too foreign" or weird for you to use. It is actually a trendy sounding name, so your daughter would fit right in, not stand out.
1