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Baby names

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

Original poster

Helena

58 replies

caitlinrose · 08/11/2022 18:22

Helena is a name I liked a while back. I didn't even think of it for the longest time. I recently discovered it again.

What do you think of Helena?

I like that it's a classic but sometimes it bothers me that it has the "hell"-sound in it and does sound a bit dark and gloomy.

Does Ellie work as a nickname for Helena? Ellie is on our list too.

It's not like I wouldn't use Ellie as a full name, it's more that I like Helena and Ellie but I don't like any nicknames for Helena (Hellie, Lena, Leni) but I do like Ellie so wondering if this would work as a nickname from time to time or to offer to people who want to use a nickname so that they don't resort to Hellie.

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caringcarer · 08/11/2022 19:54

My niece called Helena. NIC name Lena pronounced layna.

LadyGaGasPokerFace · 08/11/2022 19:48

I like Helena. In Hungarian it is Ilona, pronounced Eelona. It was my aunt's names.

Gummibär · 08/11/2022 19:40

I know a Helena nicknamed Hellie.

89redballoons · 08/11/2022 19:33

I am one, pronounced Hel-uh-nuh. I really like my name. I don't often meet another one.

I was occasionally called Hels or Hells Bells at university, but otherwise I've never had a nickname and that's fine with me.

People do sometimes pronounce it Hel-ee-nuh or Hel-ay-na but I don't mind correcting them at all, and once people know the right pronunciation it seems to stick.

electricdreaming · 08/11/2022 19:04

Forgot to say, I don’t think you could get away with Ellie as a nickname. Although I have no idea what nickname Helena’s go by.

electricdreaming · 08/11/2022 19:02

I’m an ellie (Eleanor) and used to long to be a Helena. Still love it now and would use it if it wasn’t so close to my own name. I’d pronounce them to same though El-an-er/hell-en-er. It’s elegant and timeless imo. It’s the right level of unique for me too. Not too many about, but not a ridiculous out there name.

SummaLuvin · 08/11/2022 18:55

I like it, I think it's really pretty.

I knew one who pronunced it Hel-ay-na and used Laney as a nickname. Ellie feels like a slightly contrived to me, but I wouldn't question it if that how someone introduced themselves.

How much do you dislike the other nicknames? Because while you can have Ellie lined up as your choice you can't decide what you child will pick for themselves once they start thinking independently.

OohMrBingley · 08/11/2022 18:47

Oh God, here we go with the rhotic v non-rhotic thing! Non rhotic people don’t sound their Rs!

I love the name, but am biased as well.

Ours in pronounced as in Christensen. I also love it pronounced as in Bonham-Carter, but that doesn’t work with our surname - it’s slightly tongue-twistery and repetitive.

Not keen on the Heleena pronunciation.

She will get all sorts of pronunciations, but once corrected, people get it right. And her friends will take delight in correcting teachers and others when they don’t pronounce it her way!

Ellie is fine as a nickname.

TidyDancer · 08/11/2022 18:46

bitachey · 08/11/2022 18:42

I didn’t misread @TidyDancer I was asking why you were pronouncing it with an r at the end when there is none?

Maybe it's an accent thing then. I wouldn't emphasise the a at the end, it's a duller/softer sound to me. Anyway, not a big deal.

Basically I just really don't like the hell-ay-nah or hell-ee-nah versions.

AmberGer · 08/11/2022 18:45

Beautiful name. Always loved it.

whattodo2019 · 08/11/2022 18:43

I like it but only Helen-er
I don't like-
Hel- ain - er
Hel- een- a

bitachey · 08/11/2022 18:42

I didn’t misread @TidyDancer I was asking why you were pronouncing it with an r at the end when there is none?

bitachey · 08/11/2022 18:41

Surely it’s “a” at the end not “er”?

CatJumperTwat · 08/11/2022 18:37

She'd constantly have her name mispronounced, whichever version you choose. Don't underestimate how annoying it can be to have a name like that.

TidyDancer · 08/11/2022 18:37

bitachey · 08/11/2022 18:33

@TidyDancer why would you put an r at the end?

I think you've misread my post! I was talking about the pronunciation not the spelling.

Mycatsgoldtooth · 08/11/2022 18:37

Gorgeous bane. So classic and makes me think of beauty

Gummibär · 08/11/2022 18:37

But only when pronounced as Helen-er.

What GrinConfused

LulooLemon · 08/11/2022 18:37

Love it.

The best pronunciation in my opinion is Hel-uhna. But she will get called Hel-ayna and Hel-eena.

SweetChild0mine · 08/11/2022 18:36

TidyDancer · 08/11/2022 18:32

Beautiful name. But only when pronounced as Helen-er. The other versions make me cringe for some reason.

I'm the opposite. I think hel-en-er isn't as nice and the cheaper sister of Eleanor (which is obv the or not the er)

Hel-ain-a for me. although I think it's really pretty I feel it's an "old" name

Gummibär · 08/11/2022 18:36

Now you you mention the Hell part, I too can hear it actually...

Gummibär · 08/11/2022 18:35

I like Helena

But I wouldn't shorten to Ellie as I find that so overused and boring personally

bellalou1234 · 08/11/2022 18:34

I'm a helen and hate the hel bit I used to ask my dm why my name was a swear word... although I prefer it to some 80s names

Sexnotgender · 08/11/2022 18:34

Love it. Don’t shorten it though! So many Ellie’s about.

bitachey · 08/11/2022 18:33

@TidyDancer why would you put an r at the end?

Spanielsarepainless · 08/11/2022 18:33

Helena is gorgeous; the hell thing has never occurred to me. Ellie is horrible.