How would you pronounce Helena?

[Zippetydoodahzippetyay]

I love the name Helena but not sure if people would pronounce it the way I prefer it.

Would you pronounce it:

1. Heh-lay-na
2. Helen-a
3. Hel-ee-na?

1

2 as in Helena Bonham Carter

2

2

Helen-a. Although I know Heh-lay-nas - but you'd need to tell me that was the pronunciation. Otherwise you're gonna be Helen-a.

Such a mix of responses. Very interesting. And funnily enough, since I started this thread I think my favourite pronounciation has changed.

OK if no-one else is going to ask, I will, what pronunciation do you favour now then? Helen-a like Ms Bonham Carter?

@Pemba haha

I actually now prefer He-lee-na followed by Helen-a as in Bonham Carter. Partly due to seeing/hearing them more while reading this thread and party because it occurred to me that He-lay-na rhymes a little too much with our surname.

hel-an-a

I am one, and I pronounce it like your (2). I would say when reading it for the first time, people get it wrong maybe 30% of the time. I correct them and don't really care about it, I really like my name

Helen-a (as in Helena Bonham Carter). A very close relative is named this, and it's commonly mid-pronounced the first time, but as soon as she repeats it with the correct pronunciation people always remember. The same will happen if you do the same for a different pronunciation I'm sure! For background, the name is derived from Helios, the sun god, which I don't think has any factor in pronunciation but is kinda cool

There’s also the barrister and broadcaster Helena Kennedy - also 2.

My Greek Aunts name and its Hey lena