Helen

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See also helen, and Helén

Contents

English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Ancient Greek Ἑλένη (Helenē), possibly connected with ἥλιος (hēlios, “sun”).

Pronunciation[edit]

Proper noun[edit]

Helen

  1. (Greek mythology) Helen of Troy, a famous beauty in classical Greek legend.
  2. A female given name.

Related terms[edit]

Quotations[edit]

  • 1602 William Shakespeare, Troilus and Cressida, Act I, Scene I
    Fools on both sides! Helen must needs be fair,
    When with your blood you daily paint her thus.
  • 1928 Agatha Christie, The Mystery of the Blue Train
    "Is her name Ellen or Helen, Miss Viner? I thought - "
    Miss Viner closed her eyes.
    "I can sound my h's, dear, as well as anyone, but Helen is not a suitable name for a servant. I don't know what the mothers in the lower classes are coming to nowadays."
  • 1993 Oscar Hijuelos, The Fourteen Sisters of Emilio Montez O'Brien, ISBN 0-14-023028-9, page 6:
    in 1910 she brought Helen into the world, the little female, or "mujercita", as her mother called all the babies, naming her after the glittery label on a facial ointment, The Helen of Troy Beauty Pomade, said to eradicate wrinkles, to soften and add a youthful glow to the user's skin - a fortuitous choice because, of all the sisters, she would be the most beautiful and, never growing old, would always possess the face of a winsome adolescent beauty.
  • 2003 Deborah Crombie, A Share in Death, HarperCollins, ISBN 0060534389, page 189
    Gemma followed her, thinking that Helen seemed rather an old-fashioned and elegant name for this rumpled young mother.

Translations[edit]

female given name

Danish[edit]

Proper noun[edit]

Helen

  1. A female given name borrowed from English.

Estonian[edit]

Proper noun[edit]

Helen

  1. A female given name, short form of Helena, also borrowed from English Helen.

Norwegian[edit]

Proper noun[edit]

Helen

  1. A female given name borrowed from English.

Swedish[edit]

Proper noun[edit]

Helen

  1. A female given name borrowed from English.
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