My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Baby names

Helen

56 replies

Confused1977 · 23/03/2019 00:21

I've always thought this is a beautiful, sophisticated and feminine name. I would use Ellie or Nelly as a nickname. My partner hates it....says its grannyish and dull. I really want to keep this name on our list for our little girl. Opinions please....!

OP posts:
Report
ColeHawlins · 23/03/2019 00:23

It's lovely. Beautiful and elegant. So is Helena - would he prefer that?

Report
Confused1977 · 23/03/2019 00:23

I also really love Mary...but he doesn't like that either !!

OP posts:
Report
bluebell34567 · 23/03/2019 00:23

very pretty name. reminds me of Greek Goddesses.

Report
Confused1977 · 23/03/2019 00:24

Helena is lovely :)

OP posts:
Report
Sophaloaf · 23/03/2019 00:26

My DDs middle name is Helen. It's my mums name and a classic. What about Ellen?

Report
CatSmize · 23/03/2019 00:26

I'm with your husband on this one.

Report
Ellieboolou27 · 23/03/2019 00:27

Ellen is nicer

Report
ColeHawlins · 23/03/2019 00:27

I can't say I'm mad on Mary. That is a much more flour-smeared, domestic, grannyish name to me.

Report
DramaAlpaca · 23/03/2019 00:28

I agree with you, it's a simple, elegant, classy name. Unfortunately it does sound quite dated nowadays. I only know Helens in their 50s & 60s. The trouble is, if your partner hates it it's off the table really. I do like Nell for a diminutive, though.

Report
ColeHawlins · 23/03/2019 00:32

Unfortunately it does sound quite dated nowadays. I only know Helens in their 50s & 60s.

That just means it's due a revival. Smile It's too good a name to fall out of use.

Report
Confused1977 · 23/03/2019 00:34

I love Mary. Its not on our list though because I know he hates it. He's not keen on Helen, but he's kind of open to it. Mary would be my first choice, but its out of the question :)

OP posts:
Report
Tavannach · 23/03/2019 00:34

Love Helen. Nell (not Nelly) for a nn.

Report
Calzone · 23/03/2019 00:37

Oh no.

It’s so blah.....

Helen, Pamela, Anne......just no.

So many beautiful names out there. Pick one you both love 💖

Report
llangennith · 23/03/2019 00:45

I like the name Helen. No need for nn. It's a stand alone name.

Report
Calixtine · 23/03/2019 02:30

It’s lovely. One of my daughters has the middle name Helena.

How about Merryn?

Report
NellWilsonsWhiteHair · 23/03/2019 07:46

Helena is lovely. Less sure about Helen. I know a 6yo Helen and it's one of the very few names which has inwardly surprised me. I'm with your husband on Mary too btw. Grin

Report
Fluffiest · 23/03/2019 07:49

I think Helen is lovely but you need to find a name you both love.

Report
niceberg · 23/03/2019 07:49

How about the Greek, Eleni?

Pronounced ell-enny.

Report
wizzler · 23/03/2019 07:52

I love it. Classic

Report
MadameJosephine · 23/03/2019 07:53

To me Helen is another one of those names that is a bit ‘meh’ until you put an a on the end to make Helena and then it’s beautiful

Same as Julie, Ann, joanne, Sophie, all better with an extra a

Report
seeingdots · 23/03/2019 07:57

I like it, it's strong and classic. I think on a child nowadays it would stand out, and not for negative reasons. Mary is also nice but not as strong to me.

Report
Bellaposey · 23/03/2019 07:57

I have a Helena known as Nell/Nelly and it love it still. Was never keen on Helen but I think Helena is beautiful. Never had anything but lovely comments on her name.

Report

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

MummytoTw0 · 23/03/2019 07:59

Beautiful name x

Report
BillywigSting · 23/03/2019 08:04

I love the name Helen.

I do have a relative in her 50s called Helen but she has more cool in her little finger than I have ever had (globe trotting, stunt woman turned architect with a super trendy central London apartment, no children, no husband and an loads of freedom).

Report
BikeRunSki · 23/03/2019 08:09

My middle name is Helen, named after my granny! I’ve always thought it was a bit insipid.

I know many, many Helens now in their 40s. It was a very popular name in the 70s! I’m not sure I have come across msny young ones. Lots of Eleanors in my dc’s primary school age peer groups and a lovely 10 year old Helena.

The “problem” with Helen/Helena is whether you pronounce it to rhyme with Ellen or with the “en” like “in”.

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.