Do these names seem very similar to you?

[signuptoday]

Hi, we are trying to agree on a name for DD who is due soon. We both like Ellen but neither of us is keen on Helen. Just out of curiosity, do you think of these two names as being very similar or do you see them as distinctive names?

I'd just like to get some outside views. Ta.

[orangepudding]

They are two different names. I love the name Harvey but loathe Harley!

[signuptoday]

Hi orange, that's a good comparison. Thanks for your thoughts.

[musttidyupBeforeSantaComes]

Different. Prefer Ellen.

[Casmama]

In print the look very different but in pronunciation there is very little difference- for years I thought a friends aunt was called Ellen but turns out it was Helen.

[HoratiaWinwood]

Different. I like one and loathe the other.

Weird how superficially similar names can actually be so different!

[nelly83]

its like Hannah and Anna. i love one but dont like the other. weird isnt it? i like Ellen btw!

[Alisvolatpropiis]

I see them as being distinct names.

[lovemybabyboy]

Both different names, Ellen is lovely, I'm not too keen on Helen.

[telsa]

Ellen sounds nicer than Helen to me, though I agree that in reality they will be pronounced pretty well the same.

[smother]

Different. I've got a niece called Ellen and it has never occurred to me that her name is similar to Helen. It's a bit like Bethan and Bethany - entirely different names separated by 1 letter! - love one and hate the other!

[RyleDup]

I prefer Ellen, but it it depends on the accent where you live. Where I am, it could easily sound as though people are being lazy and dropping 'H'. (no prizes for guessing where I am!)

[GrumpySod]

Extremely similar and equally likeable (or not, as may be).

[LynetteScavo]

I know what you mean....I like Anna, but not keen on Hannah....(Which is one reason DD isn't Anna..DS2 kept saying Hannah!)

They are very different names to me, even though they sound similar.

No one thinks Gary and Harry are similar, do they?

[LadyLetch]

Very different in my view. Love Ellen, not so keen on Helen.