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

MNHQ

HelenMumsnet · 13/08/2012 17:09

@everlong

Not keen.

A little stuffy, boring for a little girl same as when she's an adult

Ahem

Arabellasmella · 13/08/2012 17:07

I like it lots. My sister is a Helen and if we'd have had a girl we would have given her Helena as a middle name.

everlong · 13/08/2012 11:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RuthlessBaggage · 13/08/2012 09:56

Timeless classic, yes.

It's on our (currently hypothetical) list as mn only as we have several in the family already and know several more.

I don't think Helena is significantly different unless pronounced Hel-ay-na which I do not like.

JennerOSity · 13/08/2012 09:50

Helen is one of my absolute fave names and I know several sadly one is a total bitch which puts me off using it as she would assume it was named after her all of whom are between 1yo and 35yo. :)

It is a timeless classic.

jandymaccomesback · 13/08/2012 09:48

I have a Helen, named after my grandmother. The only drawback is when people insist on pronouncing it "Hellin". As a classic name it will come in and out of fashion over time, although I must admit the bulk of Helens seem to be 30+ at the moment.
I think it means "shining one"which is rather nice.

upsandowns · 11/08/2012 22:40

Love it I have a fab friend called Helen x

SummerLightning · 11/08/2012 22:03

My dd is Helen. She's 2 today and it suits her!

nearlymumofone · 11/08/2012 22:02

We mulled over this at the beginning of the pregnancy (due any day now), our preference being Helena. I can't remember why we disregarded it, I think I wasn't sure whether it was 'special' enough, however I'm sure if we have a dd this time round we'll consider it. It's certainly classic and beautiful... oooh I'm warming to it all over again now!!

MrsDmitriTippensKrushnic · 11/08/2012 13:33

I know quite a few Greek Helens, although I have to say I prefer the Greek form (Eleni) It's a nice classic name

CharlieBoo · 11/08/2012 12:59

Yes

optionalintegration · 11/08/2012 11:26

Lovely. Would be utterly charmed to meet a baby Helen. Stronger than Helena somehow, and more classic, though both are nice.

stressheaderic · 11/08/2012 11:21

All the Helens I know (er, three, 2 friends and an aunt) get called 'H' as a nickname.

CruCru · 11/08/2012 11:18

Helen is a lovely, classic name. It will work for an adult as well as a small child.

PicklesThePottyMouthedParrot · 11/08/2012 09:54

I love this thread.

DontCallMeBaby · 11/08/2012 09:11

It's nice - like other people, I've never meta bad one, which helps. Friend has a little Ellen, which seemed similarly slightly retro, but is now just her DD's name. Happens with pretty much all names once they're attached to an actual child!

MackerelOfFact · 11/08/2012 09:06

Helen is classic and lovely. Never met a Helen that wasn't utterly marvellous either!

dillnameddog · 01/08/2012 12:48

I really really love Helena - nn Nell. .

Geranium3 · 31/07/2012 20:53

lovely name and also like helena, helen is a beautiful,gentle name as are catherine and lucy in my mind!

chipsandmayonnaise · 31/07/2012 19:41

Love the name Helen. Helena was on my list if DC3 had been a DD. It is really elegant and classic, and very underused.

AndWhenYouGetThere · 31/07/2012 19:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AndWhenYouGetThere · 31/07/2012 19:35

Helen is nice. I like it's simplicity and friendliness. I know one about 50, and one about 20 now. None in between, and no babies.

CheerfulYank · 31/07/2012 16:59

I think it will come back into fashion now.

I think it's pretty, it's my grandmother's name. :)

patosullivan · 31/07/2012 16:59

I love Helen.

It's a bit out of fashion at the minute, but it's one of those classic names that's been around for centuries.

freerangelady · 31/07/2012 16:58

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Unflip

1 2 3 4

Swipe left for the next trending thread