Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Unflip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Baby names

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

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Unflip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

Is Helen too old fashioned?

83 replies

lavenderfields · 30/07/2012 23:18

Not heard any Helen's for about 20 years! Is it suitable for a baby or do you think everyone would think I was from the dark ages!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Muskey · 10/04/2015 19:23

How about Ellen

EmpressOfJurisfiction · 10/04/2015 19:16

ZOMBIE!

GRW · 10/04/2015 19:08

It's my 17 year old's name and she loves it and has always been the only one in her year group. It was much more common amongst my peers, there were 3 in my class at school. I like Helena and Ellen too.

thatsn0tmyname · 10/04/2015 17:20

It's my name and I love it. I have taught a few Helen's in my time and they are pretty and studious types. She will have to tolerate 'Helen's melons' boob refs during puberty and will probably be called Hels etc but go for it.

clary · 10/04/2015 17:17

Oh boo just seen it's a zombie!

ems1910 · 10/04/2015 17:17

It's beautiful. I love it!

clary · 10/04/2015 17:16

Helen is my generation (I am 51) along with Angela, Nicola, Karen, Julie, Clare, Joanne... (How funny Iheartkingthistle, I wrote that list before reading your post! Were we ahead of the curve in S Lincs in the 1960s??)

That said, I know a 13yo Helen and another who is 11, both at DCs' school. DH used to call the 13yo (DD's mate) "DD's 40yo friend Helen" but that's just him being mean.

I think it's a pretty name and all set for a comeback. Ellen is nice too.

Incidentally my name is not Helen but I often get people calling me that when they haven't listened to my actual name (which starts sort of the same). Sometimes people even email me back and call me Helen! I am clearly the right vintage! :)

ThatBloodyWoman · 10/04/2015 13:46

Beautiful name.

PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom · 10/04/2015 13:46

Bugger. Zombie!

PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom · 10/04/2015 13:45

Also, you have the Hel-e-na or Hel-ay-na question.

PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom · 10/04/2015 13:44

Love Helen!

Not at all fond of Helena. The trend for making names 'prettier' by using an -a ending is so, so dull. I think it will date badly too.

Sweets27 · 10/04/2015 13:41

I know lots of Helens late 20s/early 30s, but I haven't come across any children called Helen - I think it's possibly a bit 'dated', but to be honest it's been around a long time and is a real classic name.

It's a very pretty name too.

What about Helena, which is maybe a bit softer and more modern, if you're worried about being old-fashioned?

tilder · 09/04/2015 07:36

I have no idea about the zombie but have just seen all the typos in my post. Really should read things before I post.

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 08/04/2015 19:55

Zombie......
Helen would be Around 2 years old now

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 08/04/2015 12:32

Old fashioned yes. But absolutley gorgeous. You won't get many Helens if any in a class room now.

IHeartKingThistle · 08/04/2015 12:19

ZOMBIE THREAD.

TheNewStatesman · 08/04/2015 12:14

It is a very elegant name. Go for it!

Jennifersrabbit · 08/04/2015 08:07

Yes it's particularly of a generation - I work with lots of thirty to forty somethings and those of us not called Clare or Sarah are called Helen. But it's lovely. Reclaim it!

Rhubarbgarden · 08/04/2015 07:59

Love it. Dd was nearly Helena. I prefer the simplicity of Helen now.

burgatroyd · 08/04/2015 07:02

Its nice.

I also like Elaine, Ellen and Helena.

tilder · 07/04/2015 22:07

Love the name Helen, not keen on Helena. Helen is classic, nonfaddy ant a 'try hard' name. I don't think it would feature on the thread about daddy names either. Go for it.

And for the poster who was rather forthright about their dislike, yes you are entitled to your opinion. But there are ways and ways of expressing it.

Box5883284322679964228 · 07/04/2015 21:32

Helena and then you could have Nell or Eleana

hellsbells552 · 07/04/2015 20:50

Yay for Helen! I am one too, am 31yo. Didn't much like it when I was younger but love it now. My sis calls me Nelly. I only knew one other in my whole secondary school, but since starting the world of work I've had two bosses called Helen!

DialsMavis · 13/08/2012 17:18

Love the name Helen, beautiful and classic (and I normally like twatty names, have 2 twattily named DC), but it's so strong and elegant sounding... never met a bad Helen either

everlong · 13/08/2012 17:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Unflip

1 2 3 4