What do you think about....

[Cricket]

.... Marlaina? Or Marlena. Same pronunciation - mar-LAY-nah

It just occurred to me now, and I think I like it. I don't know anyone else with that name, but it's not too weird, in my mind. Not difficult to pronounce. The other bonus is that it might allow to name after a couple of my sisters at once. (I have four sisters. Not sure if I'm having that many more girls! )
We currently have an Elyse, a Marieke (we pronounce it mah-RYE-keh), an Emily, and a Sophia. I don't know what this bean is, but we've had a good boy list since DD1 was born, so I just have to come up with some new girl ideas! Do you think Marlaina is too close to Marieke?
Got any other good suggestions?

[LimeSlice]

I think it is a little too close...but also just makes me think of DOOL lol

Congratulations too I had no idea you were expecting again!!!

[honeychild79]

Oh very sorry really dont like this

[Frangipani]

I too first thought of Days of our Lives. And also a lady i use to work with (she'd be about 50 now)- hers was spelt the Marlena way.

But if you's like it go for it.

I do prefer the Marlaina spelling though, the other way makes the name seem older I think.

[Cricket]

Hmmm... I don't watch TV at all, so I was totally unaware of the soap opera person.

Thanks for the congrats Lime.

Maybe I'd better start over....

[mrsmac]

I must admit I thought of "Days" first too! At least she was nice (unless she went bad after I stopped watching)
I think it goes well with your other names but please spell it Marlena not the madeup way as it will date a lot faster.
There was also an actress Marlena Dietrich (sp?)

[thepixie]

There was a Suzanne Vega song called "Marlene on the wall" .... jeez, showing my age now!

[mrsmac]

There was a Suzanne Vega song called "Marlene on the wall" .... jeez, showing my age now!

Thanks Pixie now its stuck in my head!!!!

[ameylynne]

I absolutely love the name. It was the name of my roommate in college and I prefer the spelling Marlena. I think its a classic and gorgeous

[JordieC]

Maybe if you spelt it a bit differently - like Malayna or Mahlaynah. Still I think it't a bit close to other daughter's name. What about dropping the M and having Alayna?

[sneakysparkle]

I think Marlena is really gorgeous! And I don't think its too close to Marieke - especially if you spell it Marlena

Maybe it will be a boy and you won't even have to worry!

[smiles4u]

I too firstly thought of soapie Days of our Lives character Marlena but then a friend of mine has a DD named Hope and she said she did get the rare comment did she name her after a soapie character (which she didn't) BUT after sometime she wasn't bothered by it ... hey Marlena & Hope's actress's that play them are just both so gorgeous

I do like the name Marlena but sorry to say as i do think Marlena does at first glance look very similar to Marieke.

Could you change the spelling ... like Melina ?

(I love you have a DD Elyse as my DD's middle name is Elise after her Auntie Elise, very pretty name )

[Boo Boo]

I love the name Marlena - to me it it conjures up images of hollywood glamour. I do remember Marlena in DOOL but that's okay, she was lovely. And no, I don't think it is too similiar to Marieke.

If you like it, go for it

Congratulations.

x

[Cricket]

Thanks for the feedback ladies! I suggested it to DH and he's withholding judgment at this point. We'll add it to our list anyways.
By the way, since I live in Canada, Marlena would be pronounced with the R sound, so Malena isn't the same thing.
I'll keep brainstorming, so hopefully we end up with 3 or 4 good options by the end, and can settle on something good when this little bean makes an appearance.
Or, maybe SneakySparkle will be right, and it'll be a blue one! Not holding my breath....

[Pandora]

I like it, and prefer the Marlene/Marlena

Makes me think of Marlene Dietrich. Stunning.

[human bean]

I love it too - prefer Marlena - and don't think it's too close to her sister's name. Good luck!!

[beetle]

I like it! Very old Hollywood (Marlene Dietrich...although you'd probably want the 'a' at the end rather than her 'e' so people pronounce it right). I like the Marlena spelling - the other way looks a bit made up. I don't watch Days of Our Lives so I didn't get the association either. Whoever this Marlena TV character is will be long gone by the time your little one is at school, etc. (although those shows do go on forever)