There is something very cool about your name being at least 3000 years old and the first thing that pops into people's heads is Helen of Troy - the daughter of Zeus!
I'd rather call my kid Maude than plain old Helen. Helen is a feminine given name derived from the Ancient Greek name Ἑλένη, Helenē (dialectal variant: Ἑλένα, Helena) whose etymology is unknown; a derivation of the latter from ἑλένη, a variant form of ἑλάνη, i.e. I really like the name Helen.I have always liked the name Helen. Linked to Greek hêlios \"sun\", and sometimes taken as connected to the Greek word Hellên meaning \"Greek\".
It hasn't started a consistent upward trend but that will likely start any year now as the beloved grandma Helens die out and baby Helens are named in her honor. ships," over whom the ten-year Trojan War was fought). The bright one.
Helena, whilst very lyrical, can be confusing, will people pronounce it the traditional HEL-lehn-ah or the modern He-LAY-nah? But despite my hate for this name, I think Helena is a stunning choice.This name actually has kind of a frightening connotation for me--when I was in 3rd grade I read this great ghost story by Mary Downing Hahn called "Wait Till Helen Comes," where Helen is a ghost child. It is my name, and I have always thought it was beautiful. Helen and Helena are both lovely names.I love Susan too, but not Maude though. It sounds like a middle aged woman's name and like Susan, should not have been revived.
Having moved from Ireland to England, I have found there are definitely more Helens in England (more Ellens and Aileens in Ireland) but the ones I have met were all young too! There was a Saint Helena, mother to Constantine the Great, whose purity allowed her to discover the True Cross. But I recently read 'The Tenant of Wildfell Hall' (Anne Bronte) and now I have a whole new association for the name Helen. These 16 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Helen. The name is borne in Greek legend by the beautiful wife of the king of Sparta. I heard helen-a first, and I think the fact that I'm English could possibly be a factor.Why is this name so popular? Would you like to follow Helen?Helen is a name that has connoted beauty since ancient times (the mythological "face that launched a thousand
)I just don't like how the first syllable is pronounced like "hell"This will always be "old woman" to me but I LOVE Helena and Elena.Nameberry is a registered trademark of Nameberry, LLC. That is the story behind the baby Helen I know, and it is a big reason for the 100 year rule.All the Helens I know of are older women or from the early 20th century when this name was most popular. The name was popular in medieval Euro… The bright one. For me I just can't seem to shake that connotation.I love Helen!
I prefer Helena and Helene (ha-leen) variations.I love Helen. Of course, I only know two Helens, and one is middle aged, the other elderly.
Still considering it though!I've seen a lot of people comment on here that they dislike the name because it sounds old. Having family from Ireland lets me know that are a lot of Helens out there which makes me smile :) And actually my mother called me Helly too!
I was named after my grandma who died when I was younger, and I have only ever met three other people with my name. I try to look at the name objectively and can almost see its appeal, but then I don't see it :(my name is Helen and i absolutely love it! I think it sounds beautiful, but serious. my name is Helena and i know a Helena and everyone says they like Helen betterMy name is Helen also!
!Helen is a nice enough name, though serious for a child.
I really can't see the appeal at all.
I think Helen is unambiguous, recognisable yet a little unusual, classic and subtly feminine. It is of Greek origin, and the meaning of Helen is \"sun ray\". Nell or Nellie might be a way to get around that as a nickname.
It also sounds ugly, with hell as the first syllable. If you didn't find an alternative name that you like better than Helen, try our Please add to or correct the information provided by other members of the Nameberry community.Please add to or correct the information provided by other members of the Nameberry community.Helen is a beautiful name.
There are no nicknames, it doesn't sound pretty! A lot of people says it is an old name but i love it!
It blooms with youth but ages well, too.
Helena and Elena sound much more youthful to me and I know/see many young Elenas.I don't understand this. Most names have been around for a few centuries, some for ages and ages. I think it's personal preference whether you like Helen, Hélène or Helena.
English form of the Greek Ἑλένη (Helene), probably from Greek ἑλένη (helene) meaning "torch" or "corposant", or possibly related to σελήνη meaning "moon".In Greek mythology Helen was the daughter of Zeus and Leda, whose kidnapping by Paris was the cause of the Trojan War. I WISH my mum had gone with her number 1 choice Emma rather than be put off by the fact that my cousin is Emily.Unfortunately I agree. I think Hélène can sound pretentious if pronounced correctly (ay-LEHN) and unfortunately plain uneducated if pronounced modernly (He-LEEN). Mythology: the abduction of Zeus's mortal daughter, Helen of Troy, resulted in the Trojan War. Like helenberry, I am called Hellie from time to time (more now than when I was a kid), but my most common nickname is Lene. I like Helen also.I actually like Susan, too - and Maude...!!! Also you should name your child something that they can grow into, and this name fits that.