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Baby names

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

Original poster

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....!

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Flamingosnbears · 23/03/2019 08:27

Helen is a Lovely Elegant yet strong name definitely lovely attributes to bestow upon a child.

sluj · 23/03/2019 08:20

I get irrationally bothered when people pronounce it Hellin instead of HelEN. Not sure why but it really annoys me.
I have a friend Helena who also gets called Helayna or HelENa.

Otherwise, I think it's a pretty and underused name.

Kokeshi123 · 23/03/2019 08:19

Helen is a great name, but if your partner hates it I don't think it's really a possibility.

BlueMerchant · 23/03/2019 08:14

Love Helena but I do find Helen a bit dated and dull.
I think Helena Mary is lovely.

Sexnotgender · 23/03/2019 08:12

Love Helen.

TheCraicDealer · 23/03/2019 08:10

I like Helen (one of my friend is a Helen/Hels, mid 30's) and I love Helena. It's a beautiful name.

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”.

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).

MummytoTw0 · 23/03/2019 07:59

Beautiful name x

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.

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.

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

wizzler · 23/03/2019 07:52

I love it. Classic

Fluffiest · 23/03/2019 07:49

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

niceberg · 23/03/2019 07:49

How about the Greek, Eleni?

Pronounced ell-enny.

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

Calixtine · 23/03/2019 02:30

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

How about Merryn?

llangennith · 23/03/2019 00:45

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

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 💖

Tavannach · 23/03/2019 00:34

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

Original poster
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:
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.

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.

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.

Ellieboolou27 · 23/03/2019 00:27

Ellen is nicer