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Baby names

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

Original poster

Helen or Ellen?

43 replies

Butterflygirl7 · 01/11/2009 21:17

Which sounds prettier? I know Ellie is popular these days but wondered if Ellen is too?

TIA

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birdofthenorth · 10/11/2009 09:56

I like both but think right now I'd go for Helen. Classic but not common right now.

Ellen is quite similar to all the many bairns out there called Ella, Eleanor, Elsa, Eliza, Elora... who will all be abbreviated at school to Ellie! Still nice names though.

mowbraygirl · 09/11/2009 21:29

My name is Helen and so is my daughter in law who is 29 today. It does get a little confusing at family gatherings when someone calls out Helen. My son refers to her as little Hels. She was named after her Nana her name is Helena although known as Lena.

crumpette · 09/11/2009 19:04

Ellen or Helena are my favourites

harperlady · 09/11/2009 12:12

Or... you could go Gaelic for Helen - Eilidh. Another really pretty name!

Teapot13 · 09/11/2009 12:07

In Germany, Helena is sometimes shortened to "Leni" (Lay-nee). Might be another nickname option if you want to avoid the popularity of Ellie. I think Heidi Klum's daughter is named that, though, so it might get popular, too, although maybe only in Germany.

victoriascrumptious · 08/11/2009 16:35

Helen is a lovely name.

mrsruffallo · 06/11/2009 22:44

Very defensive
The truth hurts, eh?

canihaveapeeinpeacepleasebob · 06/11/2009 20:33

I too have never wet the bed and my breath smells delightful!
every mrsruffallo I've heard of has been unpleasent, but then I've only heard of the one!

girlsyearapart · 06/11/2009 19:43

I'm Ellen (30) and have only ever met 2 in my whole life.

Do get a bit of 'Helen?' NO Ellen.. And what's it short for?

Mutt · 06/11/2009 19:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mrsruffallo · 06/11/2009 13:29

I prefer Ellen.
Every Helen I have ever met has bad breath and wets the bed.

Firawla · 06/11/2009 13:25

helen is much nicer than ellen

jemart · 04/11/2009 16:47

I like both, Ellen is rather Edwardian, Helen is 1950's both very good names.

If I had to choose, I think Ellen is my preference.

Ondine · 04/11/2009 16:00

Helena is very nice.

Helen and Ellen both a bit too staid.

JesusChristOtterStar · 04/11/2009 15:17

agree

actually i think Helena is delightful and know two lovely teenage Helenas

fannybanjo · 04/11/2009 10:48

I am 34 and called Helen. I would have LOVED to have been Helena but alas, it wasn't meant to be. My Mum didn't have the bottle to add the "a" on the end.

Helen is a classic underused name but is a tad boring but then boring is nice! Doesn't cause any offence to anyone.

jellybeans · 04/11/2009 10:45

Ellen

JesusChristOtterStar · 03/11/2009 23:04

helen

every second girl on facebbook is elli ella ellen etc

Maize · 03/11/2009 23:04

I am a Helen (I am 25 and have lots of friends of a similar age with the same name). Its such a dull name imo. I think its a personal thing though because it doesn't suit me, its a sensible capable practical name and I am none of those things!

Also, if you live in the north PLEASE don't do it. I am called 'elen all the time, my own Grandad cannot say my name.

Helena is nicer.

Ronaldinhio · 03/11/2009 23:02

Ellens are pround fiesty and beautiful..they are fantastic people

GrimmaTheNome · 03/11/2009 22:54

Helen must be due a comeback - when I was a teen (er, over 30 years ago) it was always the name given to really nice older ladies in my Mums romantic fiction books.

Mind you, I did know one whose mother thought that it was an unshortenable name till friends started calling her Hell

halia · 03/11/2009 22:50

Elen, Helen or Eleanor

TartanKnickers · 03/11/2009 22:47

My dd is Eilidh which is a Gaelic form of Helen

canihaveapeeinpeacepleasebob · 03/11/2009 22:41

I'm a Helen and under 35 (but only just).
My parents called me it because it was lovely and not popular.
Some of my family call me Ellie, which I'm not keen on, but other call me Heli, which I don't mind.
I'd say go for Helen, but then I'm biased!!

cece · 03/11/2009 22:28

Helen was on our short list.
Lovely and not popular.