Post by demetra on Feb 15, 2016 10:01:20 GMT -5
The name Elena is the Italian and Spanish version of the name Helen which originated from the Greek Hēlēnē, the name of the famous beauty of the Trojan War story in Greek mythology. There are two possible etymologies for this name. One, it’s a form of “hēlios” which is the Greek word for ‘sun’ so Helen is thought to mean ‘ray or sunbeam.’ Secondly, it could be the Greek word for “Greek” (Hellēn) but this is not widely held. Given the legendary beauty of Helen of Troy (the face that could launch a thousand ships), a sunbeam or ray of light seems much more fitting. (For more information, see the name Helen.) In any case, this ancient name of Greek origin produced many variations throughout Europe such as Helen, Hélѐne, Ellen, Elaine, Eleanor, Ella and even Nell. Elena just so happens to be the Italian and Spanish form of Helen.
Rayna is a transcription of a Bulgarian female name (Райна) which is equivalent to the Latin Regina meaning “queen”. The words “queen” and “regina” developed from two different language families: Germanic (English) vs. Italic (Latin), respectively. “Regina” is the female form of “Rex” (Latin for king). These are both rooted in the Latin “regere” (which means “to rule”). On the other hand, the word “queen” comes from the Germanic branch, derived from the Olde English "cwēn, cwene" which was a common early medieval word for “woman” in general before it developed its regal definition. The Bulgarian Рай (Ray) also means “paradise, heaven”.
Well if you do somehow get a chance to watch it later, let me know what you think. 
Hope you're doing well. 
