Helena

[FindaPenny]

Hi everyone I really like the name Helena. I like both pronunciations Helena and Hel-lain-na, but husband only likes the second pronunciation. I'm not sure how you would spell it though.... to make it obvious how to pronounce it.
We are thinking of Helena Jasmin. Any ideas would be appreciated.

It’s lovely. I know two who both go by hel-lain-a. Spelled Helena.
Although I like both pronunciations.

Thanks so much @youhavenoidea the main thing I was worried about is them having to constantly correct people about their name as to be fair if I had saw it spelled like that I would pronounce it the first way.

My DD has a name with 2 well used pronounciations.
Most people default to the one she uses but if they don’t she corrects them and it doesn’t bother her.

I think it’s nice, as are both pronunciations. Correcting pronunciation isn’t an issue, as the are both well known ways to the day the name. It’s similar to Clara. Can be pronounced Clair-a or cla-ra. Don’t overthink the mispronunciation issue, especially as you like both ways.

Though I must add that I don’t think jasmine suits as a middle name.

Sorry just realised so many typos! I meant to say “they are both well known ways to say the name”

Thank you both... I actually have a name that's often mispronounced even when people are told the correct pronunciation (it's a very simple name too!) and it doesn't bother me, but I just wondered if there was another acceptable spelling.

@thetimetravellerswife I understand what you are saying about Jasmin, but we have a mixed cultural background and Jasmin would work in both cultures. Its not 100% but I think its a reasonable match.
Another first name we were thinking of is Camilla Jasmin... Perhaps a better match?

Do you have a Middle Eastern mixed background by any chance?

If you’re looking for names that work in both cultures my favourite website for this is:

www.arabicenglishbabynames.com

On another note, I like Camilla, but it is not very popular in the UK due to the duchess...if that bothers you.

I'd pronounce Helena as Helen-ah

If you want it pronounced Helayna, I'd spell it like that.

Layla is pronounced Lay la

So Helayna would be Hel ay na.

Maybe you could put an accent on the 2nd e if you want to make it very clear it’s pronounced in that way? I think it’s a lovely name, and Jasmin a beautiful name too. I also like Camilla, don’t think you can go wrong with any of these!

Helena is nicer than Camilla

I like Helena. My first instinct would be the first pronunciation but the second is fine. Don’t invent any weird accents or creative spellings. I also like Camilla a lot too, though. Both are fine alongside Jasmin.

Gorgeous name. I know an adult w this name and she is simply the nicest woman I've ever met. I prefer it pronounced Helen- ah.

Camilla is a pretty name but it sounds very posh and obvious associations with a member of the royal family which is a downside for me. Jasmine is nice too.

Thanks for all the replies guys. Yes I'm of mixed middle Eastern and British origin so it would be cool to have something that can be pronounced by both.

Was almost going to have Camilla for our first daughter, but had the complaints about the duchess so changed our minds. Can't put my finger on it but I don't really like the Helayna spelling, but I do agree it is a logical kind of spelling.
Maybe I can convince my husband on the more traditional Helena pronunciation still got a fair way to go and don't even know if it's a girl 😊

Thanks for the website suggestion too😊

It's MY name OP! I'm a Helena not a Helayna. I like Jasmine too!

I love it. I knew a stunning, intelligent, feminist Helena at college (nn Nell) so it has very positive connotations to me. And it's in Shakespeare - always a plus.

Could you go for Helen instead? But Camilla is super in my opinion.

Please do not mess around with the spelling! 😬 Helena is a beautiful, timeless, name. The bastardisations- not so much.

My DD is Helena pronounced He-lay-na - like Helena Christensen.

Yes, it gets mispronounced sometimes, but I have taught her not to get worked up about it, and she doesn't. If it happens in class, her friends are all usually the ones to correct it!

There are also lots of great nicknames.

Also - we discussed the pronunciations (He-leen-a) is another one she sometime gets.

She's named after my Mum (Helen), so the Anglo pronunciation should've been the default.

However, my husband preferred He-lay-na, and actually it flows better with our surname.

Go for it - keep the accepted spelling, and Jasmine is absolutely lovely with it!

My daughter is called Helena, which we pronounce Helen-ah but people always mispronounce it. Or they mis- hear and think that she's called Elena 😂 Not to put you off as we think that it's a lovely name, plus you don't really see any other little girls called Helena around.

I know someone who's name is spelled Halaina.

Helena is a beautiful classy name, no matter which way it is pronounced. I think it goes really nicely with Jasmin. Great choices. I much prefer a Helena to Camilla.

Pleaaasse ignore anyone suggesting a yooooneek spelling of Helena. Helayna is just awful. It's common knowledge that there are two possible pronunciations of Helena so probably she will correct people half the time but I can't see it being a problem.

Thanks so much for all the positive and thoughtful comments, very kind of you all. I had completely forgotten about Helena Christensen, thanks for reminding me... She is a good example of someone with the alternative pronunciation.

It's also lovely to hear of all the lovely intelligent women called Helena.

I promise if we do go for Helena there will be no unusual spellings 😁

Would you consider Elena? Spelt like that rather than Eleanor gets to your preferred pronunciation