name
Common
Helen
HEH-luhn
Helen (name) means the daughter of Zeus and Leda, considered to be the most beautiful woman in the world; her abduction by Paris brought about the Trojan War.
name
1
The daughter of Zeus and Leda, considered to be the most beautiful woman in the world; her abduction by Paris brought about the Trojan War.
2
A female first name of Ancient Greek origin.
""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.""
— Agatha Christie (1928)
"Gemma followed her, thinking that Helen seemed rather an old-fashioned and elegant name for this rumpled young mother."
— Deborah Crombie (2003)
3
A place in the United States: A minor city in White County, Georgia.
4
A place in the United States: An unincorporated community in St. Mary's County, Maryland.
5
A place in the United States: A census-designated place in Raleigh County, West Virginia.
noun
1
Any of several swallowtail butterflies in the genus Papilio.
"The Yellow Helen […] belongs to a clade of related swallowtail butterflies, the helenus group, or Helens, which are typically large, predominantly black butterflies with long tails and a large, white area on the hindwings."
— David G. James (2017)
2
One of two curved, spike-like parts found on some hyoliths.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Helens
Etymology
Came into English via French Hélène, from Latin Helena, from Ancient Greek Ἑλένη (Helénē). It is a doublet of Elaine.
Related words
Rhymes for Helen
See all rhymes for Helen →Frequently asked questions
What does “Helen” mean?
The word “Helen” means the daughter of Zeus and Leda, considered to be the most beautiful woman in the world; her abduction by Paris brought about the Trojan War.
How do you pronounce “Helen”?
“Helen” is pronounced HEH-luhn (/ˈhɛlən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Helen” in a sentence?
Here is “Helen” used in a sentence: “Fools on both sides! Helen must needs be fair, When with your blood you daily paint her thus.”
What part of speech is “Helen”?
Depending on how it is used, “Helen” can be a name and a noun.
Where does the word “Helen” come from?
The word “Helen” comes from Ancient Greek. From French Hélène, from Latin Helena, from Ancient Greek Ἑλένη (Helénē). Doublet of Elaine.
Is “Helen” a common word?
“Helen” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Helen” have?
“Helen” has 7 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the daughter of Zeus and Leda, considered to be the most beautiful woman in the world; her abduction by Paris brought about the Trojan War.
What is the difference between Helen and Helen of Troy?
"Helen of Troy" refers specifically to the figure in Greek mythology, the daughter of Zeus and Leda, whose abduction by Paris brought about the Trojan War. "Helen" on its own is also a common female given name derived from Ancient Greek.
Who were Helen's parents in Greek mythology?
In Greek mythology, Helen was the daughter of Zeus and Leda. She was considered the most beautiful woman in the world, and her abduction by Paris led to the Trojan War.
Why did Helen cause the Trojan War?
According to Greek mythology, Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world, was abducted by Paris of Troy. Her removal from Greece prompted a Greek expedition against Troy, which began the Trojan War.
What is the origin of the name Helen?
The given name Helen comes from Ancient Greek and has been used as a female name for centuries. It is closely associated with the legendary Helen of Troy.
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