So sorry about your grandmother… it’s always hard when their passing is on such a special day! I hope you’re able to remember her with joy on one of your favorite days instead of only sadness—I discovered my grandma after she had a double stroke on my birthday several years ago… those heartbreaking memories last long sometimes.
Helen is a FAB family name for what it’s worth, so many wonderful ways to honor her!
Ella is super sweet and sounds like a wonderful way to honor her—especially Ella Faith as a double barrel if that appeals to you! Faith as a name has been calling to me lately… Faith is such a beautiful idea.
My personal favorites:
Eilidh (AY-lee, thought to be the Scottish form of Helen(a) amongst other etymologies!)
Helena (this is just so classic and regal feeling to me!)
Leni (I would use a full name but I just love Leni in general!)
Helene (love the French ay LEN and the Nordic heh LAY neh pronunciations!)
Maria (this is such an international beauty… I would love to see Maria used so much more!)
Masha (my favorite Russian diminutive, coming from Maria. So unexpected and lovely!)
A fun French double barrel like Marie-Claire or Marie-Charlotte?
Something with her initials… like Hazel Madeleine?
Leonora/Leonore (or even Eleanor/Leonor/Elsinore as a stretch)
Marigold
Not my personal favorites, but would definitely work:
Elena
Elina
Marisol/Maribel/Mariana
Lena
Nell
Elin
Hallie (sort of reminds me of the beginning of Helen?)
Did she have a favorite saint who has a particularly lovely name? I am not Catholic, and my church is not one that ascribes to sainthood, but there’s a lot of stunning saint names which I would totally claim if I had any connection to them at all haha.
Good luck!
