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Helena and Nicknames
I really like Helena pronounced HEL-en-ah, but I can't think of a suitable nickname apart from Helly, which reminds me too much of hell. I think Lena is nice, but when pronounced LEE-nah or LAY-nah it doesn't sound like Helena at all. I like Nell, Ellie, Ella and Elle too, but they sound a little far-fetched.What do you think of the nicknames mentioned? Do you know anyone named Helena, and does she have a nickname? Thanks.
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I know a Helena, and she goes by Leni, pronounced like Lenny. I also had a great-grandmother Helena who was known as Nell / Nellie, so I don't think that's far-fetched for Helena at all. But I think the E nicknames work better with Eleanor.
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With the pronunciation of HEL-en-ah I think the nicknames Nell and Ellie/Elle fit the best. I typically pronounce Helena as Hel-LAY-nah so the nickname I would use would probably be Lena (LAY-nah). Unfortunately, I don't know anyone named Helena. :(
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Nell!I don't think Nell is far fetched at all!
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Nell seems fine to me, not far-fetched at all. No more so than any name with the nickname Nell.
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My sister is Helena prn hel-EE-na and she uses the nn Lena. So I am biased! ;-) However the only nn that makes sense based on your prn is maybe Lenny, which I don't care for. Soooo, I say use the one you like best!
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I know a few Helenas and they don't have nicknames. My fave is Lena, pronounced 'LEH-nah'.
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Pron. that way, I think it reduces the amount of nn that naturally come from it. I do like that pron. but prefer Hel-AY-nah. I don't think Nell or Elle are to far-fetched, they are quite nice nn.
Elen and Lenni spring to mind as nn for your preffered pron.
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I love Helena, and this is my fav pron. of it as well (so it sounds like Helen-ah). I also like it pron he LEH nah, can't decide which way I prefer. It's currently top of my list of names, and to be honest, I don't think it needs a nn. Lena is good, I pron it LEH nah, and I love Nell. I also ADORE Leni (LEH nee), and will probably end up using it as a nn myself if I go with Helena.

This message was edited 8/9/2010, 1:15 AM

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LellaI know one who goes by the nn Lella.
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