Helena

Girl Names
1

See the results of this poll: How would you pronounce Helena?

Respondents: 56 (This poll is closed)

  • heh-len-uh : 12 (21%)
  • heh-LAY-nuh : 21 (38%)
  • helen-uh : 21 (38%)
  • other: 2 (4%)
2

My first instinct is to say Heh-[name_u]Lee[/name_u]-na but I know someone who pronounces it
Heh-lay-na.

3

I say Huh lay nuh. I would never use it because of the many prn.

4

I say Hel-[name_m]LAY[/name_m]-neh but my husband says [name_f]Helen[/name_f]-uh

5

I prefer Heh-lay-nuh, but I go back and forth between that and helen-uh because I know people who use both.

6

As a Britberry, I would most definitely say [name_f]Helen[/name_f]-uh. I hadn’t heard the pronunciation Hel-[name_f]AYN[/name_f]-uh until I joined Nameberry! And I would definitely prefer [name_f]Helen[/name_f]-uh too. However, there’s nothing wrong with the Hel-[name_f]AYN[/name_f]-uh pronunciation and often it depends on accent.

7

[name_f]Helen[/name_f]-uh is my favorite.

My mom is [name_f]Helen[/name_f], so were I to use [name_f]Helena[/name_f] (it’s on the second tier of my list right now), the helen-uh pronunciation would reflect that.

Also, it’s how [name_f]Helena[/name_f] Bonham [name_u]Carter[/name_u] pronounces hers, so to me it feels “right” for that reason. I’m odd like that!

8

I say Heh-[name_m]LAY[/name_m]-na. I have two friends named [name_f]Helena[/name_f] who pronounce it as such and I love it!

9

I’ve always said it Heh-LEH-Na, actually.

I just recently discovered the -layna and -leena pronunciations, though. I think I would prefer saying Heh-[name_m]LAY[/name_m]-Na because it sounds like [name_f]Elena[/name_f], which I do like.

10

I’m stumped. I can’t decide between:
HEL-en-a
he-[name_u]LEE[/name_u]-na
le-[name_m]LAY[/name_m]-na

For this name, I’d have to ask how the person wants me to pronounce it.

11

I know a girl named [name_f]Helena[/name_f] who pronounces is huh-[name_u]LEE[/name_u]-nuh

12

My first instinct is Hel-eh-na because that’s how the last person I knew with this name said it (she has Greek heritage just in case that’s of any interest). But with this name, I would basically listen to hear how it’s said, because any of those are acceptable. So I wouldn’t necessarily presume one over the other! I think you can go with whichever you prefer. :slight_smile: