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

Is Helen too boring?

86 replies

PinkPanther57 · 21/12/2022 16:35

I love it and a classic but seen as dull it seems (?)

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Helenhere · 21/12/2022 17:29

Name changed for this - I’m a Helen. I really like my name, classic, easy to spell and pronounce. I don’t like Helena though, it sounds clunky.

StephanieSuperpowers · 21/12/2022 17:28

I like it. It's quite elegant.

I met a baby Hazel lately and I thought it was also surprisingly nice. Haven't met a Hazel since I was at school

Helenhere · 21/12/2022 17:27

Checking

ChristmasJingleBalls · 21/12/2022 17:27

Sorry but I think it’s dull.

electricmoccasins · 21/12/2022 17:26

Love Helen. Reminds me of Howards End. x

Cas112 · 21/12/2022 17:25

I can see it becoming the type of name to come back into fashion

I think it's cute

mumonherphone · 21/12/2022 17:24

I prefer Helena too. I know one nicknamed Laney. Also know a little girl called Hayley and one called Elena.

Pterrydactyl · 21/12/2022 17:23

I like it. Unless you live somewhere where people drop their ‘h’s and it turns into Ellen!

I’m never quite sure how you’re meant to pronounce Helena.

Choccolatte · 21/12/2022 17:16

Always found it dull and not a nice sound.

RuthW · 21/12/2022 17:15

It's fine if you like it. I never have.

Topseyt123 · 21/12/2022 17:15

I like it. I might be biased though.

Notonyournellykelly · 21/12/2022 17:15

I like Helen and also Helena, Ellen and Eleanor

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 21/12/2022 17:11

Lovely and classic, so will date less than an on-trend name.

Coxspurplepippin · 21/12/2022 17:09

X post!

Anotherdayanotherdollar · 21/12/2022 17:08

Not to my taste, but I really like the diminutives* Elena, Ellen, and Nell.

*may not be the correct word 🤔

Coxspurplepippin · 21/12/2022 17:08

Classic, elegant, spellable, pronounceable.

Katis, Helena is lovely but pronunciation can be a bit of a hazard. I'd pronounce it Helen with a short a at the end but DMil was a Helena pronounced Heleena with the stress on the second syllable.

PeaceJoySleep · 21/12/2022 17:08

I like it.

AndcI prefer it to Helena which confuses me. HELLenna or HellENNA or Heleeena
Helen is beautifully simple

KirstenBlest · 21/12/2022 17:06

It's lovely and a classic.

Helena is nice but they tend to be called Ellie or Ella around here and it's too similar to Eleanor

Lucia574 · 21/12/2022 17:06

It’s beautiful and elegant. I much prefer classic, simple names.

Floralnomad · 21/12/2022 17:05

Helena , nn Nell is lovely

SayMyNameProperly · 21/12/2022 17:05

It is classy and classic but a bit dull IMO. Helena has just a little something extra (the a!) that makes it a more special name.

katis · 21/12/2022 17:05

Really hate the name Helen it's a Middle Aged woman's name. Helena is much nicer

RoseMartha · 21/12/2022 17:04

I also prefer Helena

Daisy62 · 21/12/2022 17:00

Love it. I think it suits any age.

Ocrumbs · 21/12/2022 17:00

I think its classy