Helena or Simone?

[Rhubarbgarden]

Any strong feelings? To go with a three syllable surname so I think Helena might be a bit too long.

"It's not like you pronounce it HELLana."

I would, though. Much nicer than Hel-LAY-nah IMO. I know a couple of Helens who are always "Hel"/"Hell" in conversation. Still a pretty name.

Helena is great

Never liked Simone and I think it seems dated whereas Helena is classic

Oh God no, it's HELL-ena. People are always ringing and asking for Hel-AY-na and it drives my friend mad. Turns a beautiful name into a horrible name.

Isn't Hel-AY-na just considered posher? I thought so. I know Helena Kennedy has said she always corrects the judges who call her "Hel-AY-na" as she has a working class Scottish background and pronounces it "HELL-ena".

Helena Bonham-Carter (clearly v posh) is HELL-en-uh, isn't she?

The Hel-AY-nas I have known have mostly been from Eastern Europe. Three of them.

Not sure where I stand on the pronunciation issue actually. I like both. I guess I'd lean slightly towards HELena if it might avoid sounding pretentious.

Helena, although not sure which pronunciation I prefer .

Is it just me who thinks that Simone sounds like a transvestite or something?

Helena, but the pronounciation will be an ongoing issue. You have been warned.

Love both names

Helena is lovely

It could also be Hell-eeee-na.
I like Simone. Cool, in a sort of French way.

We have an 11 wk old Helena, chosen with help from MN jury! - most people have pronounced it Hel- en-uh so far, luckily as thats the pronunciation we chose. Obviously thats my preferred choice of your names but both nice! Pronunciation will no doubt be an issue but hopefully will only need to tell people once...

Congratulations Pastahat! Good choice.

I LOVE Helena.

Helena definitely.

(But not Hel-AY-na).