Helena or Susanna

[Uhohmummy]

Which do you prefer? We’re looking for a classic English but not too popular name for DD2.
We would probably use shortenings - Nell or Susie.
Names I like but can’t use because of close family/DH has vetoed are:
Jemima
Eliza
Georgia
Tabitha
Middle name will likely be Charlotte, to honour family.
Interested to hear what people think and also get any more suggestions.

Susannah. Like Elen though

I think both names are lovely.

My grandma was Alice Marina and her sister Evelyn Helena. Their mother Eleanor Grace.

Dear friends of mine were Susannah and Felicity. Suzie and Fuzz.

I love Susanna! If DS had been a girl (and if I didn't have a very slight lisp) he would have been Susanna or Cecily.

I love all of the vetoed names!

Both Helena and Susanna are nice names (I do love Nell as a NN).

A few other thoughts, along the lines of what you mention...

Gabriella
Alice
Vivien
Margot

...also...

Clementine
Cecilia
Beatrix
Margaret

Helena definitely.

Other ideas:

Felicity
Bryony
Cecily
Jessica
Marianne
Camilla
Clarissa
Serena
Tessa
Rosalind
Miranda
Constance
Catherine
Clara

Helena nn Nell is simply stunning.

Helena! I love Helena! I would use the name if someone in my family wasn't called Helen.

I think it's a beautiful and classic name. Plus, it makes me think Helena Bonham Carter, who I love

I do really like Helena, but Susanna is gorgeous. They are definitely the best of all the names you were considering (although I do like Eliza quite a lot),

Love both. Also suggest:
Marianne
Julia

I like Helena best.

Helena is good.

Martha
Minnie
Clara
Abigail

I'd choose Helena of the two.

But I much prefer the vetoed names, and I don't think Susanna or Helena are of a similar style.

Suggestions:
Alice
Clara
Catherine
Dahlia
Emmeline
Eleanor / Elinor
Greta
Juliet
Lucinda
Romilly

I love both. Also suggest:
Louisa
Julia
Marianne

I like Helena but it can be pronounced in many ways which might be annoying - Helen-uh, He-LAY-na or He-LEE-na

Love Susannah, with an H

Love Helena! Beautiful name. But please don't shorten it.

Lots of lovely suggestions - thank you!
I’m going to add Cecilia, Julia and Felicity to the list.
I agree Susanna/Helena feel a bit different to the vetoed list. The ones on the list are my favourites but annoyingly DH seems to think he has a say!

I prefer Susan a to Helena and it can be shortened to Susie or Anna.

We know a Grace Charlotte but she's older and I have a feeling Grace is very popular now?

Personally love Charlotte (Lottie, Charlie) and the names you're not allowed to use!!

Elizabeth (Libby, Lizzie)
Isabella (Bella, Izzy)

Helena.

Susanna but both are lovely

Susanna is such a sunny name and no quibbles over pronunciation

Susannah (with an h) for the same reasons above. Everyone will pronounce it the same way.

I would go for Helen or Suzanne because there are so many names that end in ah about!

I like them both. (I prefer the spelling of Susannah with an H on the end.)

Also love Cecilia, Felicity and Julia!