Helen
HEL-en
A classic name meaning “light,” long linked with beauty and legendary allure.
Meaning
Helen is traditionally traced to Greek and explained in old name books as meaning “light.” In the excerpts, Yonge also connects Helen/Helena with beauty and notes the name’s lasting appeal because of that association. Charnock identifies Eilidh as the Gaelic form of Helen and links Eleanor/Helena in the same naming family.
Origin
Greekfeminine
Fun fact
The excerpts note that even after the legendary Helen of Troy became a symbol of trouble as well as beauty, the name never really disappeared.
Confidence: mixed. Sources: History of Christian Names, Praenomina; or, the etymology of the principal Christian names of Great Britain and Ireland.