Helena

[Ziggurat]

If DC2 is a girl, our proposed name is Helena - named after my Mum who died 7 years ago. She was Helen, but I prefer it with the 'a' at the end.

Pronunciation would be He-ley-na (as in Christensen, accent on the 2nd syllable), as opposed to Helen-a (as in Bonham Carter).

Will she always be correcting pronunciation?

Also, I like the nn Lena. Any others people can think of?

I don't think she will be constantly correcting it. I think most would pronounce it as in Christensen - maybe i am wrong?

It's a lovely name (as is Helen). I do think that more people will want to pronounce it the Helena B-C way though.

This is on our short list too and Dh and I cannot agree on the pronunciation - I like Helen-a DH prefers He-lay-na. I prefer the first pronunciation as MIL heard our list and started calling the baby Laynie. Dh WILL agree with me eventually as I have to give birth to this baby!

It's not a name that I think Wow! But I like the way you have thought about having it in memory of your mother, but with a little twist. I prefer the Helen-a pronunciation.

It's lovely (and even more lovely pronounced as you intend) and people will soon get used to pronouncing it.

I would pronounce it Helen-a. As for nn. maybe Hel, Helen, Nina, Nel, Lena. Not sure how close they are to the original name, but they're possiblities.

Beautiful and elegant! Love it. I know people of both pn, but I think I prefer your way.

Classic and timeless. Absolutely love it. She will always be correcting how to pronounce it though which will be a PITA. Heli as nn.

Just to muddy the waters further, I know a Helena and as well as Helen - ah and He - lay - nah, she is frequently called Hel - eena.

Come to think of it, I'm not sure which one is the correct one. I think she prefers Hel-eena.

Thanks so much everyone for your feedback!

My first instinct was to go with Helen-a, but DH prefers the other pn and I like it that way too.

Lots of other NNs to think about.

Thanks!

Added to that - I think my Dad will automatically pronounce it He-leena (as he knows a(n elderly He-leena and his aunt was Lena, pronounced as Leena), and it will take some repeating to knock it out of him. So yes, there is yet another way to pn it!

I'm sure we're having a boy, so this is probably all moot anyway!

I like Helena!