Pronunciation of Helena

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

Respondents: 39 (This poll is closed)

  • HELEN-uh : 14 (36%)
  • huh-LEN-uh : 2 (5%)
  • huh-LAY-nuh: 23 (59%)

I know two different pronounciations (two different friends) . [name_f]Helen[/name_f] a and Hell lane a.

I use both the [name_f]HELEN[/name_f]-ah and heh-[name_m]LAY[/name_m]-nah pronunciations, but I do usually automatically say/think [name_f]HELEN[/name_f]-ah before the other.

only [name_f]HELEN[/name_f]-ah

I used to pronounce it [name_f]HELEN[/name_f]-[name_m]AH[/name_m] but then I actually knew a girl called [name_f]Helena[/name_f] who pronounced it HEH-[name_m]LAY[/name_m]-[name_m]NUH[/name_m] so that’s the only (really) pronunciation I go with.

I like [name_f]HELEN[/name_f]-uh but a coworker automatically defaulted to Hel-[name_m]LAY[/name_m]-na when responding to a new client’s written name the other day… he didn’t know if that was how she pronounced her name, it was just the pronunciation he hears more often. I asked…

I like huh-[name_u]LEE[/name_u]-na or huh-[name_m]LAY[/name_m]-na

After watching 2 seasons of Orphan [name_m]Black[/name_m], the Huh-[name_m]LAY[/name_m]-nuh pronunciation is what I instantly think of but if someone was to correct me on the pronunciation then I wouldn’t be surprised. [name_f]HELEN[/name_f]-uh would be the next one I’d assume, probably.

I think there are 3 pronunciations. In order of my preference:

huh-[name_u]LEE[/name_u]-nuh

huh-[name_m]LAY[/name_m]-nuh

HEL-uh-nuh

If I encountered someone with this name I would not assume a pronunciation but ask upfront how their name is said. Ditto names like [name_u]Andrea[/name_u] that have multiple common pronunciations.