lavender's green Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I'm considering the name Helena if I have a girl, but I've heard three different pronunciations and only like one of them. I'd just like to see how the hive would pronounce it. Choose whatever's closest to what you would say, or suggest something if I've missed a pronunciation. I'll come back later and post my favorite. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milovany Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 While the town in Montana is pronounced like the first option, I voted for hel-AY-na for the girl's name, but I say it more like huh-LAY-nuh. The L goes in the 2nd syllable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I believe that is what Lena (LAYna) Horne's actual name is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I've heard Helen-uh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Dp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UrbanSue Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I said the first option, but I like the second better. We've thought of that name, too, but I never considered the second pronunciation. I'd pronounce "Lena" with a long e. I guess I'm not very consistent! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 he len AH (short e sounds) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SquirrellyMama Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I've heard Helen-uh. This is how I pronounce that name. Kelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeneralMom Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 This is how I pronounce that name. Kelly I voted option 1, but this is more how I would say it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 One or two, depending on the person's inclination and country of origin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoseInABook Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 My default is Helen-uh but I've heard Heh-LAY-nuh used too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oak Knoll Mom Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I know a huh-LEEN and a hu-LEEN uh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I know a huh-LEEN and a hu-LEEN uh Are both names spelled the same, though? I'd spell them Helene and Helena. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milovany Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Are both names spelled the same, though? I'd spell them Helene and Helena. I pronounce those the exact same way, but I do so with the first one because it's my cousin's name and that's how she pronounces it (German in origin). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda in VT Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I voted Other because I consider both of the first two options to be correct pronunciations of the name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I've heard Helen-uh. that is how I would say it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sisyphus Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 My niece is a Hel-AY-na, Helena. So that is what I think, but I consider either correct. Plus, it's a name, so annoying goes, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparkle Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I would pronounce it with the accent on the first syllable, but almost everyone else I know pronounces it with the accent on the second syllable, long e. I think the first way is more of a European pronunciation, and the second way is more of an American pronunciation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I'd pronounce it like the first option--the way Nickel Creek says it in the song Helena. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misty.warden Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Hel-e-na, like Helena, MT unless I knew the family was European, then it would be Huh-leen-uh. Like Bur-ta/ Bear-ta for Berta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elfknitter.# Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 In English, He-LAY-nuh. (short e) In Spanish, my mother's name is AY-lay-nuh. (silent h) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sara in AZ Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I guess my friend hel-EE-na is way in the minority here! Love the pic of Belatrix...I'd go with Helen-UH just in honor of her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oak Knoll Mom Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Are both names spelled the same, though? I'd spell them Helene and Helena. No, they are spelled Helene and Helena, but the pronunciation of the first two syllables are the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn. Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I used to say He-LAY-nuh, but Montana ruined that for me, so now I don't like the name, because I never know how to pronounce it. Thanks, Montana.. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I've heard Helen-uh. I voted option 1, but this is more how I would say it. Agree with all of the above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theYoungerMrsWarde Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Another Helen-uh, here. I think it's pretty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 My automatic pronunciation is HEL-en-uh. There's an prominent Irish lawyer who pronounces it Huh-LAY-nuh - I don't know if that's the standard pronunciation in Ireland. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaffodilDreams Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 We have two Huh-LAY-nuhs in the family , so that's my go to pronunciation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Where's our own Helena to weigh in?? I tend to say He-LAY-na (Hel-AY-na?), but would be willing to say Helen-a if asked. What I won't do is use a short i in pink. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joyofsixreboot Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Other~. Huh-lay-nuh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitestavern Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Obviously there's Helena Bonham Carter, but my niece is Hel-AY-na so that's how I automatically pronounce it when I see it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weddell Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Dh wanted to name dd this, but this very dilemma is why I vetoed it. Both pronounciations are common and people are always going to say it differently from whatever you choose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I've heard Helen-uh. Closer to this than any choices in the poll. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 My automatic pronunciation is HEL-en-uh. There's an prominent Irish lawyer who pronounces it Huh-LAY-nuh - I don't know if that's the standard pronunciation in Ireland. Laura This is how I pronounce it. How knew there were so many ways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lavender's green Posted February 25, 2013 Author Share Posted February 25, 2013 Thanks for the help, everyone! I actually meant for option 1 to sound like Helen-uh, but I wrote it in a slightly confusing way. I grew up (in MI) hearing HeLAYna or occasionally HelEEna but I've heard Helen-uh as an adult and it has really grown on me. I'll definitely consider it for a girl. If a large majority had said #2 I'd be going back to the drawing board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dm379 Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I know girls with it spelled that way and pronounced both #2 and #3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmeblue Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I've heard all three, so if I saw it on paper I would just ask the person what pronunciation they use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SailorMom Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I'd think "Helen-uh" with the emphasis on the uh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MFA323 Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I would expect an American or Brit to use the first pronunciation. If it were someone from one of various other cultures, I would expect the second. I've never heard the third. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helena Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Where's our own Helena to weigh in?? I tend to say He-LAY-na (Hel-AY-na?), but would be willing to say Helen-a if asked. What I won't do is use a short i in pink. I use your first pronunciation. Maybe more of a Hu/He sound. And I agree on pink, I keep trying to say it with the short i... I've never heard that pronunciation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susann Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I pronounce it ha-Lee-na Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizzyBee Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I'm considering the name Helena if I have a girl, but I've heard three different pronunciations and only like one of them. I'd just like to see how the hive would pronounce it. Choose whatever's closest to what you would say, or suggest something if I've missed a pronunciation. I'll come back later and post my favorite. Thanks! I voted the third one because that's how I've heard it pronounced when it's a name, so that's how I'd assume it was pronounced if I came across it. But I actually like the second one much better, and that's how I'd pronounce it if I named my child Helena. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I would pronounce it like Helena Montana. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelli Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Helen-uh. In Arkansas there is the town of Helena (pronounced Helen-uh) so that is how I always pronounce that name since that is what I've always heard. I didn't even know there were other ways to pronounce it! Kind of like pink! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenn121 Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I've heard Helen-uh. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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