Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Helen

95 replies

Heh1991 · 15/06/2020 02:00

Thoughts on the name Helen?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
17caterpillars1mouse · 15/06/2020 18:35

Love it

hopingtobedally · 15/06/2020 17:59

Vile name sorry

Blursula · 15/06/2020 17:55

I definitely don’t see it as timeless I’m afraid - I think it’s quite dated and would put it in the same group as names like Karen, Linda, Susan etc. Much prefer Helena

CremeEggThief · 15/06/2020 17:20

Far prefer Helena (any of the 3 pronunciations) ot even Ellen.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 15/06/2020 17:18

My name is Helen and I like it. Never had a nickname as such. I prefer Hel to Hels though!

Who ever said Helens are elegant, classy and kind is, of course, correct Wink

DramaAlpaca · 15/06/2020 17:17

I love it.

Heartlake · 15/06/2020 17:16

It's lovey! Actually a bit retro and easy to say and spell!

Chchchchchchanged · 15/06/2020 17:11

I’m a Helen (NC). I’ve always loved it.

Northernsoullover · 15/06/2020 17:03

I really like it. Beautiful name.

TonyBennsCat · 15/06/2020 16:52

NC for this as I’m a Helen. I’m in my late 50s so was ahead of the curve last time round and don’t know many Helens of my age.
I love it.

borntohula · 15/06/2020 16:40

Nice name but can't imagine it on a baby.

cloudsinthesky24 · 15/06/2020 16:39

@Whatsyourflava
Unfortunately not. I have the equally ubiquitous 70's middle name - Louise.

At least 3 of the Helen's in my year at school also had Louise as their middle name too!

RedWedding · 15/06/2020 16:37

No, just no.

Whatsyourflava · 15/06/2020 16:01

@fudgesmummy @cloudsinthesky24 Lucy and Zoe are two of my very favourite names!
I think it's really sweet you didn't tell your parents you don't like your name as you didn't want to hurt their feelings ❤️ Was Lucy your middle name then Cloud?

Whatsyourflava · 15/06/2020 15:59

I think a baby Helen sounds refreshing to our generation as we done hear many babies called Helen

If you look at it from babies eyes though: Whilst baby Helen is very likely to be the only Helen in class or school. All us uncool dowdy mums will be called Helen so I can see why a PP said that a younger Helen had changed their name. It's definitely a mum name. It's fine though but I don't like the "Hell" sound at the start

captainraymondholt · 15/06/2020 15:58

I don't like it.
I much prefer Helena.

bottle3630 · 15/06/2020 15:58

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

GRW · 15/06/2020 15:52

I have a Helen. I chose it for it's simplicity as I have a Welsh name which is often mis pronounced and mis spelt. I like Helena and Ellen too, but Helen is more unusual for a baby.

TheGoodDinosaur · 15/06/2020 14:47

I'm a helen and I've never liked it. It's boring and bland. My parents were going to call me something else, I've no idea why they settled on helen.
I use a nickname.

Sorry op Sad

Ylark79 · 15/06/2020 14:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BasiliskStare · 15/06/2020 14:31

My father wanted me to be called Helen , my mother got her way -so I m not - but I think it is a lovely name

cloudsinthesky24 · 15/06/2020 14:27

@fudgesmummy Grin
Funny that the only two people on the thread who don't like it are both actually called Helen!
Zoe is lovely. I was going to be Lucy. Would have much preferred that too.
Oh well... best not to dwell. Lol.

Annelizza · 15/06/2020 14:15

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

MikeUniformMike · 15/06/2020 14:15

I like it and prefer it to Helena, Ellen etc.
Classic and timeless.

fudgesmummy · 15/06/2020 14:11

@cloudsinthesky24
Are you me?!
I'm a Helen and like you I've never likes it!
And my parents were going to call me Zoe which I much prefer, but changed their minds!!! 😮