How do you pronounce Helena?

DandelionAZO

There are several ways to pronounce Helena, which is "right" to you?

Helenahhandbasket

For my SN to make sense, most like the first one. 

However IRL I would probably lean towards Huh-lay-nuh (so like your third pronunciation).

NerdyLucy

As a kid, I typically pronounced it as Helen-ah, or HEH-leh-na, but now I default to Heh-LAY-nah. 

shamyfowler

mjreilly2 said:

Helen + uh /HEH-lehn-uh/

Like Helena Bonham Carter and Helena, Montana.

I really dislike the other pronunciations.

This.  As Helena is my state capital I always say Helen+uh

DandelionAZO

I was looking to see if there was a more common pronunciation.  I am okay with correcting people, but just more curious if I say it "wierd" or not.

divinemsbee

Helen-ah. Like Helena Bonham Carter.

But I really like it as Hel-ay-neh. A lot. I think that's more accepted as the Eastern European pronunciation, I've been watching a show a lot with a character and it's pronounced with the AY in the middle.

DandelionAZO

I am in love with the heh-LAY-nah version, with a possible nick name of Laney.

However, I already have a Hannah and the board decided it was too close to havec Helena as a sibling.  I just cannot get this name out of my head.

Helenahhandbasket

DandelionAZO said:

I am in love with the heh-LAY-nah version, with a possible nick name of Laney.

However, I already have a Hannah and the board decided it was too close to havec Helena as a sibling.  I just cannot get this name out of my head.

What about Elena (Ee-lay- nuh) or Marlena (Mar-lay-nuh).  Both could be NN'd Laney.

DandelionAZO

@Helenahhandbasket, Elena is on our list as well.  I am just in love with the soft 'h' at the begining rather than an "EEEE" sound. 

And there are so many Ellie, Ella, Emma, Emily's already.

I am just struggling to find anything that I love. PPlus, DH has a huge family and I would rather not duplicate a name.

Worcbride

I have a friend by that name...she pronounces it Heh-lay-na

brooklynesque

This is on my list for a future LO and we would pronounce it he-LAY-na, after the way my grandmother pronounced it (it was her middle name; she was born into a German speaking family).

Manderlin923

Helen-uh or Huh-leena

I much prefer the latter

britab

Capital of Montana! Hell-a-nuh

mh89

As an American I've always pronounced it Helen-uh, but I've been watching Orphan Black lately and the British girl on the show pronounces it Heh-LAY-nuh, which sounds beautiful (well, when it's said in a British accent anyway). 

spoonleg

I always pronounced it He-LAY-na, until I had a friend with that name who pronounces it He-LEE-na.

le bebe xo

This is very interesting to me, I have always seen this name and pronounced it He-LEE-na. Never gave it a thought, but it seems like I am definitely the minority!

ErnieZippy

My name is Helena - pr - He Lee Na but the other ways are also completely legitimate pronounciations. Annoying though to always have your name mispronounced. Sometimes people avoid saying my name bc they're not sure how to pronounce it. It's def helped me decide to give my baby a simple name.

BC&LM

I've heard it as both heh-LAY-nuh
heh-LEE-nuh, so I would figure one of those two but wouldn't know which.
I have never heard it either of the other ways.

AmandaKristen

I know a Helena and they pronounce it Huh-lee-nuh which I think is very pretty and probably my personal favorite of the ones you listed.