Helen (given name)

Helen

Eastern Orthodox icon of Saint Constantine the Great and Saint Helena, his mother.
Gender Female
Name day 21 May (Orthodox, Anglican & Lutheran Churches); 19 May (Certain Lutheran Churches); 18 August (Roman Catholic Church)
Origin
Word/name Greek
Meaning 'light' or 'bright'
Other names
Nickname(s) Len, Lena, Leny, Lenie, Lonnie, Nell, Nellie
Related names Elen, Elene, Ellen, Elena, Eleni, Helena, Helene, Helaine, Elaine
Popularity see popular names

Helen is a feminine given name derived from the Ancient Greek name Ἑλένη Helenē (dialectal variant: Ἑλένα Helena) whose etymology is unknown; a derivation of the latter from ἑλένη, a variant form of ἑλάνη, i.e. "torch", is considered "rather uncertain".[1][2] Another possible derivation is from Greek Σελήνη Selene, meaning 'moon'.[3] Helen of Troy is a character in Greek mythology. The name was widely used by early Christians due to Saint Helena, the mother of the emperor Constantine I, who according to legend found a piece of the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified when she traveled to Jerusalem.[3] Helen enjoyed a massive burst of popularity in the United States during the first two decades of the 20th century where it was one of the top ten names for baby girls, but became less common by 1920.

People

See also

References

  1. Beekes, Robert (2010). "s.v. Ἑλένη". Etymological Dictionary of Greek. With the assistance of Lucien van Beek. Brill. ISBN 9789004174184.
  2. ἑλένη, ἑλάνη. Liddell, Henry George; Scott, Robert; A Greek–English Lexicon at the Perseus Project.
  3. 1 2 "Helen". Behind the Name.
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