What's the correct pronunciation of Helene?

Question

I've had Helene on my list for awhile with the pronunciation (heh LEEN) because that's how I've always heard it pronounced. But baby name sites I have looked at have different pronunciations.

So what is the correct pronunciation?

I really don't like any other pronunciation other than (heh LEEN) so I may just take this name off my list.

Answer 1

I believe the original Greek pronunciation would have been huh-LEE-nee. That's almost how the nearly identical Selene is pronounced (suh-LEE-nee).

http://www.behindthename.com/name/selene



According to Behind the Name, the French pronunciation is ay-LEN. I've never heard that before.



I'm wondering if huh-LEEN is an Anglicization of the French or Greek pronunciation. It is the one I most commonly hear, and it's the one I would call "correct" in English. If it really bothers you to have a name that is not pronounced correctly in its original language, I suppose you could take it off your list. It's very pretty, though, and I think you'd be justified using the huh-LEEN pronunciation in any English-speaking country. Does your boyfriend live in an English or French area of Canada? If French, perhaps ask people there how they would pronounce it.



Do you like the name Eileen? I know it sounds dated to some people, but I think it's adorable! (It probably doesn't hurt that I'm a fan of the Dexy's Midnight Runners song.)

Answer 2

Helene Pronunciation

Answer 3

Helene is a Greek name and being Greek I am quite familiar with the name. It means sun ray or shining light. Greek people refer to themselves as Helena's. Helene is a version of Eleanor and is the base name for a plethora of other names:



Elaine, Elanor, Eleanor, Eleanora, Eleanore, Elena, Elene, Eleni, Elenora, Elinor, Helen, Helena, Helene, Lean, Leane, Leonor, Leonora, Leonore, Maclain, Mariaelena, Marian, Mariana, Marianne, Marilena, Marilene, Marion, Maryan, Maryann, Maryanna



Helene Phonetic Pronunciation: HEH-len (English)http://inogolo.com/pronunciation/Helene or



Heh-leh-nee or Eleni eh-leh-nee (Greek pronounciation)

http://babynamesworld.parentsconnect.com/meaning_of_Helene.html

http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/0/Helene



I see where you disagree with the pronounciation of Helen but Helen it is as you can check the links above.



The French version is heh-leen or lene

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helene_(name)



Naturally, I prefer the original Greek pronunciation, but it look as if you have quite a choice in how you wish to say the name Helene. There are also many nicknames for Helene such as Lena, Leni, lene, elen, and so on.



It is a nice classic name that is not worn out on the most popular names list over the past few decades.



Good Luck, I'm sure whatever you decide will be just perfect for your new addition.



P.S. I love the name Eileen and again it is not overused!

Answer 4

It's my name. It's pronounced heh-LEEN. Strangers tell me it's a "very pretty" name. I've thanked my mom for the name.



A German acquaintance pronounces it heh-leh'-neh. A French-Canadian acquaintance tells me the French pronunciation is eh-len'.



I have met maybe 5 other Helene's in 30 years. It's a very exciting occasion. I saw a TV show recently with a minor character named Helene. It freaked me out. I don't know how people with common names do it. (In these cases, it was always pronounced heh-LEEN.)



Some people who read it mispronounce it as "Helen." Some people who hear it think I'm saying "Kelly." Introducing myself as "Helene with an H" fixed the Kelly problem. When I hear "Helen" I'm no longer uncomfortable clarifying on the fly. It's typically misspelled when heard. If it's important, I spell it in full, or say: "Helen with an E at the end." Otherwise, I like to see what they come up with.

Answer 5

First off. Just a gentle reminder. It's province (not providence).



I'm a classics major and in classes when we talk about the Greek people we sometimes use the term Hellenes. Which is pronounced the same as Helene. It stems from the myth of the founding of the Greek people. There was a flood, the world needed to be repopulated. The first son of the only surviving couple (Deucalion and Pyrrha) was named Hellene. As the Greeks are believed to the descendants of him, that's where the derived the name.



Pronuncation: http://www.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/audio.pl?hellen01.wav=Hellene



On the other hand that name, and the pronunciation, in its VERY original for it is male. Hellene was a boy-child. A son. Just thought I'd warn you, given your hatred of boyish-girl names.

Answer 6

I've always heard it heh LEEN, but if you remove the "e" at the end, it's the Americanized version pronounced heh/len. I like Helene. It's pretty. You can go with Helena and get the same effect. Or you can just spell it differently, like Heleena or Helenya.



Have a happy baby.

Answer 7

I really like "heh LEEN" as well, but technically that isn't the right pronunciation (I suppose) since Helene is the French spelling, and they pronounce it "ell EHN." Hs are always silent at the beginning of French words (like "heur"...)

Answer 8

The capitol of California isn't Los Angeles, it's Sacramento. Sack - ra - meant - oh To answer your question: Los Angeles is pronounced Los Anjel - ess

Answer 9

Eelehn...darn I can't really describe it, but it is my favorite name. If I ever have a daughter, I'm naming her Helene Janis or Helene Genevieve, or maybe Helene Janis Genevieve.



Here is something that might help:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lnRAYt8r_U

Answer 10

I was just about to answer when I read the added notes so I'll just say something completely irrelevant to the original question and agree that Eileen is a gorgeous name.

Answer 11

I would pronounce it (he LEEN) also!



It would be different if it had an "a" at the end.

Then you could have either (he LEENA) or (helen-a).



Great name!

Answer 12

I think that there are at least a few different ways...



I've seen he-LEEN and he-LE-nu



Very pretty :-)

Answer 13

In French, it's like ay-LENN (h is silent)

Answer 14

Heh-LEHN or 'Eh-LEHN depending on whether or not you're French.

Answer 15

HELL-ANE



if you like Heh LEEN



spell it Heleen..lol

Answer 16

heh-leh-nee or heh -leen.