How do you pronounce Helena?

DandelionAZO · May 2014

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

Helenahhandbasket · May 2014

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 · May 2014

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

shamyfowler · May 2014

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 · May 2014

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 · May 2014

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 · May 2014

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 · May 2014

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 · May 2014

@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 · May 2014

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

brooklynesque · May 2014

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 · May 2014

Helen-uh or Huh-leena

I much prefer the latter

britab · May 2014

Capital of Montana! Hell-a-nuh

mh89 · May 2014

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 · May 2014

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

le bebe xo · May 2014

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 · May 2014

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 · May 2014

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 · May 2014

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.

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