Helena

Helena is the Latinate form of Helen used primarily among the Germans, Dutch, Portuguese, Scandinavians and Slavic people. Helen is the English form of the Greek Hēlēnē (‘Ελενη) which most likely comes from the Greek “hēlios” meaning “sun” – more specifically, a sunbeam or ray of light. In a similar vein the Greek word “‘ελενη” means “fire torch” in reference to the appearance of St. Elmo’s Fire (a lightening-like phenomenon off the mast of a ship). In ancient Greek mythology, Helen is the name made famous by the beautiful Spartan queen whose abduction by Paris set in motion the epic Trojan War. She is known as the woman whose face “launched a thousand ships” and therefore often considered the most gorgeous woman who ever lived by mythological standards. Incidentally, it wasn’t this classical Greek beauty but rather a 3rd/4th century saint (Helena of Constantinople) who served to popularize the name among early Christians in medieval times. Saint Helena was the beloved mother of Roman Emperor Constantine I (272-337) who had the distinction of being the first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity. According to popular legend, Helena is also credited with finding the “True Cross” (relics of the cross on which Christ was crucified) buried at a dig site she oversaw in Jerusalem (she is thus the patron saint of “new discoveries”). Helen will, however, be remembered most as the face that launched a thousand ships, but she also had the name that practically launched a thousand variations: Ellen, Eleanor (English), Helena (Portuguese), Elena (Italian), Lena, Ella, Elin (Dutch, Scandinavian), Hélène (French), Elena, Iliana (Spanish), Aileen/Eileen (Scottish); Elaine (Welsh); Aliénor (Provençal) – not to mention a slew of diminutives: Elle, Ella, Ellie, Lena, Nell, Nella, Nellie. Among medieval English speakers, Ellen was more common than Helen. Helena has been and continues to be the more common variation used throughout Europe. Today the name Helena is a Top 100 favorite in the countries of Croatia, Austria, Catalonia, Spain and Belgium.