The girl's name Helen \he-len\ is pronounced HEL-en. It is of Greek origin, and its meaning is "sun ray, shining light". Mythology: the abduction of Zeus's mortal daughter, Helen of Troy, resulted in the Trojan War. Hers was "the face that launched a thousand ships". There was a Saint Helena, mother to Constantine the Great, whose purity allowed her to discover the True Cross. Helene (hel-LANE) is a French form; Halina is Polish; Eilidh is Scottish Gaelic. See also Alanna. Writer Helen Keller; actresses Helen Hayes, Helen Hunt, Helen Mirren, Helena Bonham-Carter; publisher Helen Gurley Brown; singer Helen Reddy.

ORIGIN
Greek

MEANING
Torch

From the Greek word, helene that's known in Greek mythology, for Zeus's mortal daughter, Helen of Troy, whose abduction led to the Trojan War. Saint Helena was the mother of Constantine the Great, whose purity allowed her to discover the True Cross. Prominently known for Helen Keller the author and educator who became blind and deaf at the age of 19 months and actress Helen Hayes often referred to as the "First Lady of the American Theatre." More recently associated with Helen Hunt, the Emmy, Golden Globe and Academy Award-winning actress, best-known for her role on the television sitcom "Mad About You" and Australian pop singer Helen Reddy, one of the most successful female recording artists of the 1970s.

VARIATIONS
Elwin Elin Helden Elvan

ALTERNATIVES
Helin Helan Hellon Helean Hellyn Helon Helyn Hellen Hellan Helenh

NICKNAMES
Heli

FAMOUS Helens
Helen Mirren (English actress) Helen Gurley Brown (author/publisher) Helena Bonham-Carter (English actress)

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