Name Help??

Question

I'm writing a novel and I need to decide what the main character's name will be. She is 18, Russian, and a dancer (yeah I know stereotypical but believe me the story is not in the least stereotypical). I've narrowed it down to two. Here are the names and their meanings (and yes they are spelled correctly):

Jelena - Shining Light

or

Nika - Born on Sunday

Personally, I like Nika because I've never heard it used in a novel before, but what do you all think?

Thanks and God Bless!!!

Answer 1

Nika is short, spunky, for someone who has a bit of an attitude, a bit emotional or tempestuous, younger sounding, so definately not mature for her age, a good name for a character who has to face outer conflict, with things beyond her control rather than dealing with inner conflict, depending on what it was.

Jelena is an older, more elegant and formal name. Brings to mind someone who is generally calm, mature, and quiet, almost mysterious to those around her. She sound slike someone who may seem like she has everything together, because she wants to appear that way, but is falling apart inside.

Now which name fits your character better?

Answer 2

I'm voting Nika strictly because I read a book about a year ago in which one character was a Russian dancer named (you guessed it) Jelena

Answer 3

I think that Nika would be easier for the reader to pronounce. It has another form -- Nikita. It is of Greek origin, and its meaning is "unconquered". From Aniketos. Also a nickname for Nicole, which is derived from Nike, the Greek goddess of victory. In Russia, also a male name. There was a famous Russian leader of the 1950s/1960s named Nikita Kruschev. Anyone looking less like a dancer is hard to imagine.

Jelena is a variant of Helena via Helen (Greek) "light". It is pronounced Yelena. Perhaps it would be more appealing as reminiscent of "star", which I'm sure your dancer will become.

Answer 4

Well, I don't know alot about Russian names, but I would say Nika also. It has a bit more Russian to it. I've never heard of Nika either, I like it.

Answer 5

Jelena! It fits the character's personality better. Nika sounds fake and cheap.

Answer 6

Nika

Answer 7

How about combining the two: Nika Jelena? Or some variation.

Bless you too. Namaste.

Answer 8

I really like the name Nika

Answer 9

I think that Nika is a pretty good name but you might try some other names too. I know several girls from Russia and they have pretty names. I only know that Katya is the Rusian form of Catherine or Kate.
But try Sasha, Anya, or Nastya.
Hope this helps

Answer 10

I like Jelena -- but for some reason I just have a thing for "J" names. The meaning also seems to fit the dancer attribute.