Helen

From French Hélène, from Latin Helena, from Ancient Greek Ἑλένη (Helénē).

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• IPA^(key): /ˈhɛlən/
• Rhymes: -ɛlən

Helen (plural Helens)

1. (Greek mythology) the daughter of Zeus and Leda, considered to be the most beautiful woman in the world; her abduction by Paris brought about the Trojan War.
   • 1602 William Shakespeare, Troilus and Cressida, Act I, Scene I

     Fools on both sides! Helen must needs be fair,

     When with your blood you daily paint her thus.

2. A female given name.
   • 1928 Agatha Christie, The Mystery of the Blue Train

     "Is her name Ellen or Helen, Miss Viner? I thought - "

     Miss Viner closed her eyes.

     "I can sound my h's, dear, as well as anyone, but Helen is not a suitable name for a servant. I don't know what the mothers in the lower classes are coming to nowadays."

   • 1993 Oscar Hijuelos, The Fourteen Sisters of Emilio Montez O'Brien, →ISBN, page 6:

     - - - in 1910 she brought Helen into the world, the little female, or "mujercita", as her mother called all the babies, naming her after the glittery label on a facial ointment, The Helen of Troy Beauty Pomade, said to eradicate wrinkles, to soften and add a youthful glow to the user's skin - a fortuitous choice because, of all the sisters, she would be the most beautiful and, never growing old, would always possess the face of a winsome adolescent beauty.

   • 2003 Deborah Crombie, A Share in Death, HarperCollins, →ISBN, page 189

     Gemma followed her, thinking that Helen seemed rather an old-fashioned and elegant name for this rumpled young mother.

• St Helens, St. Helens

• Elaine, Elena, Ellen, Ellie, Helena, Helene, Ilona, Lena, Nell, Nellie

• → Danish: Helen
• → Estonian: Helen
• → Hawaiian: Helena
• → Norwegian: Helen
• → Swedish: Helen

• Ehlen

Helen

1. A female given name borrowed from English.

Helen

1. A female given name, short form of Helena, also borrowed from English Helen.

Helen

1. A female given name borrowed from English.

Helen c (genitive Helens)

1. A female given name borrowed from English.

Borrowed from English Helen.

Helen

1. A female given name