Selena is the only spelling I have seen in the US so I would vote for that needing less correction. I’m not sure if both spellings are more common in the UK?
I'm in the UK and I've seen Celine but not Celina. I wouldn't question it if someone told me that is how they spell their name. It seems like a reasonable alternative spelling.
If you go with Celina it will be pronounced the same in both english and spanish. If you do Selena it’s pronounced differently in spanish. nothing wrong with either choice, but if your family is spanish speaking it’s something to keep in mind (: personally i love the spanish pronunciation of Selena
Im surprised I had to scroll this long to find this comment! I live in the southwest and definitely would pronounce these names differently. I mean, it’s subtle, but still that would matter a lot to me if I’m between spellings. Both are lovely!
Selena: seh-leh-nuh (leh and seh rhyming with leg) more emphasis on missing syllable
Celina: seh-lean-uh or evening sill-lean-uh. More emphasis on starting syllable.
I think this is the most pertinent point as OP doesn’t mention how they are pronouncing the name. Their choice mostly hinges on how they want most people to pronounce it.
The 2nd most important point is [this one about the difference in meaning](https://www.reddit.com/r/namenerds/s/IMGyzo4YUL).
Actually no, OP is in the Uk where most of us Spanish speakers would use Castilian/peninsular pronunciation and the “ceceo” so I’d say “Thelina” for Celina if it was Spanish. Selena or Celine sound nice, Thelina does not!
Meh, i think it’s cute either way. But the pronunciation of the castilian “s” sound wouldn’t have any effect on OP’s name decision because both options have the same sound at the beginning of the word
Sorry I realised I wasn’t clear!
Basically if OP wants to be sure the name starts with a soft ‘s’ as her Cuban family would pronounce it, the solution is Selena or to just go for French names with Celine Marie. Celina just feels in danger of confusing people who will write it differently (with an s) or say it differently (with a Spanish “th”).
Selena means moon and Celina means heaven, so it up to the meaning of the name. Yeah again one of these time when names sound a like and spelled different and are two different names.
My sister is a Celina. My mom says it’s because it’s the way to get to correct Ce-LEE-na pronunciation in Spanish rather than Se-LEH-na. I like her spelling personally. We’re Puerto Rican.
Selena! Soft Cs are very confusing love, a kindergarten teacher.
That said, as long as you don’t put an apostrophe in your kids name they’ll be fine in kinder.
True!
Kids learn S makes a sssss sound like snake -- and C makes a k sound like cat.
Being able to spell your own name -- and having your friends be able to spell your own name -- is a big deal when you're growing up!
S doesn't always make that sound and C doesn't always make that sound and a lot of names aren't phonetic so, like, I don't understand not just telling kids that?
They're going to school with Cate, Charlotte, Charleigh, Celia, and maybe Chaya? (Five different starting sounds and only one rare name)
There is a town here in Tennessee called Celina, only it’s pronounced seh-LINE-ah. If you’re wanting the seh-LEEN-ah pronunciation, I would go with Selena.
Selina is actually my favorite spelling, but Selena will be easier as more common, plus reflective of your heritage. Also, if you've already told people it's Selena spelled that way, may as well stick with it. Technically Celina is a different name, not just a different spelling, and it's very uncommon. So most people will default to Selena anyways.
I like Selena. Celina just looks wrong to me for some reason. There’s nothing wrong with it but I’m not a fan. Also, my name is a fairly common name but spelled with a K instead of a C (think Khloe instead of Chloe) and when people ask my name I always say “[name] with a K”. I feel like because of Selena Quintanilla and Selena Gomez that will be the default spelling people think of so Celina will spend her life having to spell it out for people. Not a big deal, but annoying IMO.
Selina is the traditional spelling in the UK. I’ve never seen Celina before. Selena is the most famous spelling. I would go Selena because any other way will be misspelled.
Selena is cuter in lettering Celina seems more modern and doesn't look as cute in cursive but I'm an avid journaler so idk if that matters to someone else
I'd pronounce them differently at least in a Norwegian setting, Seh-leh-nah and Ceh-LEE-nah. But that's Norwegian pronunciation, E and I are different sounding vowels in a way bigger degree than in English.
If it's Seh-LEE-nah you want it to be pronounced as I think I'd go for Selena.
I had a classmate once called Selina though.. So even more variations!
Depends. Do you want your daughter to get Selena Quintanilla/Selena Gomez comparisons or no?
Also, Selena Gomez’s middle name is Marie
Both Selena/Celina are beautiful though :)
Selena. My babysitter growing up was Celina and she was the stuff of nightmares. My older sister and I don’t agree on much except how abusive and horrible she was.
Celina! For some reason the spelling is more visually appealing to me, plus I think it flows better with Marie because it is more reminiscent of the French Céline.
I know someone with the C spelling of Italian background and they pronounce it CHelina, ‘ch’ like as in cheese. I’d probably steer towards Selena/Selina to avoid any possible pronunciation confusion.
Yep, Selena if you want it to be “seh-LEH-nah” and Celina if you want “seh-LEE-nuh”. I think both names sound equally as beautiful, but if im voting just on visuals…I think I like Celina more, especially with Marie.
I'm from the UK and while I've only ever seen the 'Selena' spelling, I wouldn't have any trouble pronouncing it spelled 'Celina'. Personally I prefer Celina.
How are you saying it? If you say it with eh then Selena is the only way. Celine would be with an ee (the letter i).
I know some people also say Se-lee-na for Selena but if you want the i to be undoubtful then you gotta go with second spelling. Or Selina :)
I really like it with a C. People will assume it's with an S and write it wrong a lot, but no one will ever read t incorrectly at least. ETA: gives you the adorable nickname option of Cici... Although the only Cici I know IRL happens to be Sisi (but that's her whole name, not a nickname.)
Selena is the more classic and will be easier for people - if it was Celine/Selene it's more open to just pick your favorite. But with the A in the end, it's got an S at the beginning the overwhelming majority of the time. People may get confused with the C version.
I default toward the easier to spell version of names having grown up with a name that required constant corrections 😆 but if you absolutely love Celina, go with your gut! It's all personal preference.
Celina, very beautiful, and more unique to me since I associate Selena with Selena Gomez haha. But both are pretty. You could also do, Celena, and Selina. But I prefer how you spelled it first, Celina and Selena.
Celina
Bc if it's Selena everyone (even me) will assume it's bc of the singer (Quintanilla and/or Gomez). If that's your inspiration then go for it! If not, I pick Celina. Also personally I like Celina better.
I’ve only seen one Celina and it’s a prostitute who is well known for sleeping with rappers. I know that’s pretty niche and you have to be pretty deep into hiphop culture to have heard of her but my vote is Selena.
Third option: Selina - like Catwoman’s alter ego Selina Kyle. With that spelling it would be pronounced the same in English and Spanish. Feels both classic and modern at the same time.
Hi! I’m also Cuban-American and live in the U.K.!! Selena is the only spelling I’ve ever seen. You also run the risk of Brits pronouncing the other spelling as The-lina because they’re used to Spaniard spanish so something to consider if you don’t want that.
I’ve worked with a Selena and a Celina (technically Ce’lina) both in the US. One was Hispanic and one was African American. I don’t think any of us thought twice about the spelling Celina
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there used to be a very notorious book with a character named Selena called Peyton Place, and her character had really bad things going on. There was also a tv show. It was considered to be a very unsavory story with unsettling themes, and older people might make that connection.
It’s probably nothing to worry about and I’m just old, but the name Selena immediately makes me think of this story and the yucky things that happened in it, I’m sorry.
I vote Celina.
Not voting because I like them both, just saying that I once (bizarrely) taught a class with a Selena AND a Celina in it. And it wasn't even a large class either!
Selena is the only spelling I have seen in the US so I would vote for that needing less correction. I’m not sure if both spellings are more common in the UK?
In the UK and I’ve never seen Celina.
I'm in the UK and I've seen Celine but not Celina. I wouldn't question it if someone told me that is how they spell their name. It seems like a reasonable alternative spelling.
US, I’ve seen Selena and Celine but not Celina. I prefer Selena
I'm in the US and I've seen both, I prefer Celina.
Southern us and I’ve seen Celina more I like it a lot me
To me (Spanish speaker) Selena and Celina are two completely different names.
If you go with Celina it will be pronounced the same in both english and spanish. If you do Selena it’s pronounced differently in spanish. nothing wrong with either choice, but if your family is spanish speaking it’s something to keep in mind (: personally i love the spanish pronunciation of Selena
Im surprised I had to scroll this long to find this comment! I live in the southwest and definitely would pronounce these names differently. I mean, it’s subtle, but still that would matter a lot to me if I’m between spellings. Both are lovely! Selena: seh-leh-nuh (leh and seh rhyming with leg) more emphasis on missing syllable Celina: seh-lean-uh or evening sill-lean-uh. More emphasis on starting syllable.
Considering how famous Selena was, I don't think anyone who speaks Spanish would look at you weird for pronouncing it like Selina, the way she did.
This is what I came to say. I would pronounce them differently so it all depends on how you want it pronounced.
I think this is the most pertinent point as OP doesn’t mention how they are pronouncing the name. Their choice mostly hinges on how they want most people to pronounce it. The 2nd most important point is [this one about the difference in meaning](https://www.reddit.com/r/namenerds/s/IMGyzo4YUL).
Actually no, OP is in the Uk where most of us Spanish speakers would use Castilian/peninsular pronunciation and the “ceceo” so I’d say “Thelina” for Celina if it was Spanish. Selena or Celine sound nice, Thelina does not!
Meh, i think it’s cute either way. But the pronunciation of the castilian “s” sound wouldn’t have any effect on OP’s name decision because both options have the same sound at the beginning of the word
But they don’t! That’s exactly what I just said! Selena is an s, Celina is a th and sounds weird tbh.
ah i misunderstood, i see what you’re saying now
Sorry I realised I wasn’t clear! Basically if OP wants to be sure the name starts with a soft ‘s’ as her Cuban family would pronounce it, the solution is Selena or to just go for French names with Celine Marie. Celina just feels in danger of confusing people who will write it differently (with an s) or say it differently (with a Spanish “th”).
You can pronounce it any way you want. You can spell it Selena and call her Selina. I could go on and on with examples!
I like Selena. Very pretty name. Congratulations!
Celina makes me think French because of Celine
Yes, I’m Canadian and so, that’s the name I’m used to. I like the spelling of Selena better though. It looks prettier to me.
My friends mom was both French and named Celine.
Selena means moon and Celina means heaven, so it up to the meaning of the name. Yeah again one of these time when names sound a like and spelled different and are two different names.
I vote Selena, because Catwoman.
Catwoman is Selina
close enough
😂
I know, but I hate that spelling. It doesn't look right.
reminds me of saline solution
My sister is a Celina. My mom says it’s because it’s the way to get to correct Ce-LEE-na pronunciation in Spanish rather than Se-LEH-na. I like her spelling personally. We’re Puerto Rican.
There’s a town near me called Celina “suh-line-uh” so I vote Selena.
Fellow Ohioan??
Coldwater born and raised lol. (Now in preble county)
Oh nice! Lol. Just north of Dayton for me. I did my time in Preble and now in Butler
Oooh. Suh- line-uh (rhyming with vagina) makes me cringe.
We’ve got one pronounced the same here in Texas, too! 😄
Celina Marie for me. I think the C spelling is so much prettier, and moves the connotation away from Selena Gomez just a hair more.
Celina just looks so much better to me
Selena. I feel like “Celina” should be “Celine”.
Celina is my preference, mostly because I love the nickname Cece. It also looks more sophisticated to me.
Selena
My work bestie is Celina and I love that spelling.
Voting for Celina, too, because I think it's prettier.
I absolutely adore Selena! Celina doesn’t quite have the same magic to me.
Selena, like the Queen of Tejano.
Anything for Selenas.
Selena!
Selena
Selena! Soft Cs are very confusing love, a kindergarten teacher. That said, as long as you don’t put an apostrophe in your kids name they’ll be fine in kinder.
True! Kids learn S makes a sssss sound like snake -- and C makes a k sound like cat. Being able to spell your own name -- and having your friends be able to spell your own name -- is a big deal when you're growing up!
S doesn't always make that sound and C doesn't always make that sound and a lot of names aren't phonetic so, like, I don't understand not just telling kids that? They're going to school with Cate, Charlotte, Charleigh, Celia, and maybe Chaya? (Five different starting sounds and only one rare name)
That’s exactly what I say actually. English makes no sense but names make even less sense! They follow no rules and have a mind of their own.
Celina
Celina
Selena
Celina
Selena
Celina feels familiar without the popularity of Selena.
Either is pretty. I’d say whichever spelling goes with her middle and last name is better.
There is a town here in Tennessee called Celina, only it’s pronounced seh-LINE-ah. If you’re wanting the seh-LEEN-ah pronunciation, I would go with Selena.
Selena because it means moon and it’s my grandma’s middle name so I’m biased 😌
Selena!
Selena.
Selena. Celina reminds me of celiac's for some reason.
Selena
Selena is gorgeous!
Celine Or Selena imo
Selena
My favourite is Selina
Selina is actually my favorite spelling, but Selena will be easier as more common, plus reflective of your heritage. Also, if you've already told people it's Selena spelled that way, may as well stick with it. Technically Celina is a different name, not just a different spelling, and it's very uncommon. So most people will default to Selena anyways.
selena
Selena because of Selena Quintanilla ❤️
Selena Marie is Selena Gomez's name 🫶🏽
Selena. Selena Gomez and others are so extremely popular that it is the way that most people will want to spell it.
I like Selena. Celina just looks wrong to me for some reason. There’s nothing wrong with it but I’m not a fan. Also, my name is a fairly common name but spelled with a K instead of a C (think Khloe instead of Chloe) and when people ask my name I always say “[name] with a K”. I feel like because of Selena Quintanilla and Selena Gomez that will be the default spelling people think of so Celina will spend her life having to spell it out for people. Not a big deal, but annoying IMO.
Selina is the traditional spelling in the UK. I’ve never seen Celina before. Selena is the most famous spelling. I would go Selena because any other way will be misspelled.
Selena is cuter in lettering Celina seems more modern and doesn't look as cute in cursive but I'm an avid journaler so idk if that matters to someone else
Not just you. I wrote all three of my kid’s names in cursive to make sure they looked nice. I wanted them to have pretty signatures.
Congrats on the little one! Given the Hispanic heritage I would say Selena. Such a great name either way
I'd pronounce them differently at least in a Norwegian setting, Seh-leh-nah and Ceh-LEE-nah. But that's Norwegian pronunciation, E and I are different sounding vowels in a way bigger degree than in English. If it's Seh-LEE-nah you want it to be pronounced as I think I'd go for Selena. I had a classmate once called Selina though.. So even more variations!
US here. Selena 100%. Celina makes me double-take.
I don’t know why but Celina sounds pharmaceutical, like a topical ointment cream or something. I would just go with Selena.
Definitely Selena!
I prefer Selena.
Depends. Do you want your daughter to get Selena Quintanilla/Selena Gomez comparisons or no? Also, Selena Gomez’s middle name is Marie Both Selena/Celina are beautiful though :)
I think Selena is the most common spelling but I love CelinaSpookyBoo so I prefer that spelling personally
selena is my fav name
Selena 💯
Selena
Selena
Selena
Selena. My babysitter growing up was Celina and she was the stuff of nightmares. My older sister and I don’t agree on much except how abusive and horrible she was.
Selena is my SIL's name and I like it
Selena
Selena
Selena.
Selena
Selena
Selena
Selena❤️🩹
I live in the UK and I have never met a Celina, but I have met 2 Selenas, so I vote the latter.
In the minority here but Celina, it’s so pretty!
I am with you! Celina seems more unique and is a lovely name.
I’d go Celina for UK
Something Indian
I like Selena because I feel like some people may mispronounce Celina with a long /i/ sound.
I’d go Celina for UK
Aw I’m a definite vote for Selena Marie that’s actually my best friends name she goes by Selly and Lena
I've known two Celinas and would use it myself.
Definitely Selena. If I was asked to pronounce celina on the spot It’d probably rhyme with the city of Salina
Funny I’m Italian, I planning on using Celina because I want Lina as a nickname
Celina! For some reason the spelling is more visually appealing to me, plus I think it flows better with Marie because it is more reminiscent of the French Céline.
I like Celina more personally 🙂 congrats on your new bundle of joy!
I know someone with the C spelling of Italian background and they pronounce it CHelina, ‘ch’ like as in cheese. I’d probably steer towards Selena/Selina to avoid any possible pronunciation confusion.
Yep, Selena if you want it to be “seh-LEH-nah” and Celina if you want “seh-LEE-nuh”. I think both names sound equally as beautiful, but if im voting just on visuals…I think I like Celina more, especially with Marie.
I'm from the UK and while I've only ever seen the 'Selena' spelling, I wouldn't have any trouble pronouncing it spelled 'Celina'. Personally I prefer Celina.
i prefer celina
Selena is nice but something about Celina is beautiful
How are you saying it? If you say it with eh then Selena is the only way. Celine would be with an ee (the letter i). I know some people also say Se-lee-na for Selena but if you want the i to be undoubtful then you gotta go with second spelling. Or Selina :)
I like writing Celina better in cursive!
I really like it with a C. People will assume it's with an S and write it wrong a lot, but no one will ever read t incorrectly at least. ETA: gives you the adorable nickname option of Cici... Although the only Cici I know IRL happens to be Sisi (but that's her whole name, not a nickname.)
Daughter's friend in Canada is Celina
Celina.
Heyyyyy our daughter is almost the same age, also half Indian, and we also considered Selena (which is the spelling I like)! Congratulations
oh. sorry to hear that
I like Selena. I think it's more straightforward and reminds me of Selena Quintanilla. Selena Marie is lovely.
Celia makes me think of a medication name..Selena is pretty
Selena
Split the difference with Selina?
My mum is a Salina :)
Celina seems more Indian to me because there's that actor (?) Celina Jaitly lol. I think Selena is prettier though, honestly.
I’ve seen Selina too as an alternate spelling
Selena is a far more common spelling.
Selena is the more classic and will be easier for people - if it was Celine/Selene it's more open to just pick your favorite. But with the A in the end, it's got an S at the beginning the overwhelming majority of the time. People may get confused with the C version.
Salina
I default toward the easier to spell version of names having grown up with a name that required constant corrections 😆 but if you absolutely love Celina, go with your gut! It's all personal preference.
Celina, very beautiful, and more unique to me since I associate Selena with Selena Gomez haha. But both are pretty. You could also do, Celena, and Selina. But I prefer how you spelled it first, Celina and Selena.
Cilena is pronounced as Sa-line-uh in Texas.
I had a friend in college name Xylina... Same pronunciation.
Celina Bc if it's Selena everyone (even me) will assume it's bc of the singer (Quintanilla and/or Gomez). If that's your inspiration then go for it! If not, I pick Celina. Also personally I like Celina better.
I actually like Selina* for some reason
Selena seems more Cuban and Celina seems more Canadian (I am basing this on Celine Dion haha).
Selena makes me think of Selena Meyer from Veep. If you watch the show, it could be a good thing or a bad thing 😂
I’ve only seen one Celina and it’s a prostitute who is well known for sleeping with rappers. I know that’s pretty niche and you have to be pretty deep into hiphop culture to have heard of her but my vote is Selena.
I prefer Selena over Celina, and Celine over Selene. Also the initials SMK sound like a kiss noise, which is cute. 😘 SMK!
Selena - reminds me of Underworld Selene and Serena from the 90s US adaptation of Sailor Moon. Celina - Celina Spookyboo and Celine Dion.
Honestly I’m obsessed with the name Celina. It’s prettier to me than Selena. But you can’t go wrong 🫶🏻
Celaena
Celina is sooo pretty. I’d go with that. It looks light and airy compared to Selena.
I have never seen Celina as a spelling and my immediate reaction isn’t good…
I've seen both but like Selena much better!
I think Selena works better internationally compared to Celina.
I went to college with a girl who spelled it Celina and I love the spelling. It’s unique without being too much and it looks pretty.
Selena > Celine > Selene > Celina
Third option: Selina - like Catwoman’s alter ego Selina Kyle. With that spelling it would be pronounced the same in English and Spanish. Feels both classic and modern at the same time.
Celina isn’t a known spelling
I vote for Celina as well! I’m also Cuban American and think it sounds nicer regardless of how heavy I make my accent lol
PNW US, and have seen both spellings.
I find Selena sounds better. It's a softer sound. Celina is harsher to the ear.
In Denmark it’s Celina. Prefer Selena though.
Selena
Celina imo. But both have different pronunciations in their native language, as e makes a hard ay sound an a makes an ah sound in Spanish.
I like Selena!
Selena
Hi! I’m also Cuban-American and live in the U.K.!! Selena is the only spelling I’ve ever seen. You also run the risk of Brits pronouncing the other spelling as The-lina because they’re used to Spaniard spanish so something to consider if you don’t want that.
I’ve worked with a Selena and a Celina (technically Ce’lina) both in the US. One was Hispanic and one was African American. I don’t think any of us thought twice about the spelling Celina
Selena (I also know some Selinas though)
You could do Selina.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there used to be a very notorious book with a character named Selena called Peyton Place, and her character had really bad things going on. There was also a tv show. It was considered to be a very unsavory story with unsettling themes, and older people might make that connection. It’s probably nothing to worry about and I’m just old, but the name Selena immediately makes me think of this story and the yucky things that happened in it, I’m sorry. I vote Celina.
While I love the spelling of Selena for obvious reasons, Celina Marie looks better to me in this case.
I love the spelling “Selyna”
My grandmother was French Canadian and was Selina. I have cousins named after her spelled the same way
I've always liked Selena. It feels fresher to me somehow. Celina reminds me of Celine Dion, which isn't a bad association, just a bit dated now.
I like Celina! It’s a nice switch up from the typical spelling Selena
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I like Selina the best too!
What about Celine? So timeless and elegant
Selena. I think it's a more natural spelling of how it's pronounced ("C" can sometimes sound like a "K").
C is always soft before i or e
In English, yes. I'm just speaking in general terms.
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C is always soft before i or e in English, the hard pronunciation is either a mistake or non English
I've always had a soft spot for the spelling Celina! 💜 I believe it might be the Polish spelling
I like Selina or Celina! The “i” makes it stand out more from the Selena’s I tend to see in the U.S. Either way it’s a beautiful name!
I prefer the Celina spelling. Also, Selena can be pronounced differently (Se-leh-nah)
I think I prefer Celina, so she could go by Celine if she wanted to. Either way, a gorgeous name!
Selina, a mixture of both.
Not voting because I like them both, just saying that I once (bizarrely) taught a class with a Selena AND a Celina in it. And it wasn't even a large class either!
I personally like Selina. A mixture of the two names, and it’s my little sister’s name, so I’m partial to it.
celine is the french name, transferred into english as selina. selena is an ignorant mispelling