Elena / Eleena

Meaning: (Sun Ray, Shining Light, Bright One, Light Bearer, Wicker, Reed, Shoot, Torch, Basket, Cognate of HELEN, and a variant Russian transcription of YELENA. Elena variation of Helen dates back to the 12th century.)

Origin: (Greek, Italian, Spanish, Bulgarian, Romanian, Macedonian, Croatian, Slovene, Lithuanian, Russian, German, Medieval Slavic)

Pronunciation: (E-le-nah (Italian), e-LE-nah (Spanish), ye-LYE-nah (Russian), ee-LYE-nah (Russian), eh-LAY-nah, ah-lay-nah, eh-LAYN-ah, el-AY-na)

Gender: Female

I was watching the movie The Mask of Zorro a few weeks ago and there was a lady Elena played by Catherine Zeta-Zones in the film. So I thought to add this to my blog because a few years ago I used the name Eleena as a minor characters name in my trilogy. So hearing Elena in The Mask of Zorro it reminded me of Eleena and also reminded me I have yet to add this name to my blog. The meanings are pretty and the name it's self is very beautiful. It's got a great look and it easily pronounced.

Audra

Meaning: (Storm, Noble Strength, Derived from the Old English Æđelþpryđ or Æthelthryth, a compound name composed of the elements æđel, æthel (noble) and þryđ, thryth (might, strength): hence, "noble strength.")

Origin: (Old English, Lithuanian, German)

Pronunciation: (AW-drə, ah-d-r-uh, aw-d-rah, AH-druh, Aw-dra, AO-DRah)

Gender: Female

I have liked this name since I watched the 60's old west T.V show The Big Valley. The Barkley's are the family in the show and Audra Barkley is the only daughter. I have always liked the name Ardra *which is a name I have posted on this blog* so when I saw Audra I thought it had a similar look and meaning and is a pretty name as well. The meaning is lovely and strong yet feminine.

I love names that have a meaning that means "Noble". Thus my love of names like Ardra, Adelaide, Adele, Fallon & Audra. They are just such pretty names & I write about nobility a lot in my novels so names that have either a noble look or meaning are great finds for me.