International Variations of Helen

This variant of Helen is used across Europe, in France, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, and it's native Hungary. Reminiscent of Elena, Leona, Ilaria, Fiona and Lola, it nevertheless remains a rarity in the US.

Makes a serious name frilly and feminine, which, depending on your viewpoint, might be a good or a bad thing. In this case, we vote good.

Alena is a modern variant of Helen. Alena might also be a spelling twist on the Slavic Alina or a long form of Lena.

This sweet Polish & Belarusian form of Galina has a serene meaning and comes with the cute nickname Hallie. Very usable internationally even outside of the Slavic countries.

Commonly used in Russia, has an Old World Slavic feel. The original Galen can be used for girls as well as boys.

Eliana and her spelling variations are multicultural favorites that have been rising across the English-speaking world since the turn of the 21st century. Popular in Netherlands, the UK, Canada, France, and Brazil, Eliana and sisters come with in-built nicknames Ellie, Elle and Ana which makes them versatile and appealing

Laina owes is popularity not to mother name Elaine but to the much-more-popular Lainey, a fixture in the US Top 100 and still rising. Laina was used for about 100 baby girls last year.

To some, may have the same warm feeling of Russian nicknames like Sasha and Misha.

Leena is the form of Lena found in Finland and Estonia. It sits just outside the Top 1000 in the US, where it may be used as a Lena alternative that avoids pronunciation confusion.

Lele is a charming feminine name with multicultural origins. In Chinese, it means "joy" or "happiness," while in Hawaiian, it can refer to a flying fish or represent a gentle waterfall sound. The name also appears in African languages, particularly in South Africa. Lele has gained popularity as a nickname for names like Lelani or Leila, though it increasingly stands on its own. Its repetitive, melodic quality makes it appealing for parents seeking something short, sweet, and internationally accessible. The name's popularity has increased slightly with the rise of social media, where its playful sound resonates well. Lele projects cheerfulness, simplicity, and a bright spirit.

Baby names that started off as diminutives -- Ena, Ita, Etta -- seem too insubstantial for a modern female.

Ilene might be a phonetic way to spell Aileen or Eileen, though in the end people may have more luck pronouncing the original.

Gayla is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It most likely developed as a feminine form of Gale (meaning "cheerful" or "merry" in Middle English) or as a variant of Gaila, which has Hebrew roots meaning "joy" or "wave." Some also connect it to the Latin "gaillardia" (meaning "lively" or "high-spirited"). Gayla experienced modest popularity in the United States during the 1950s and early 1960s alongside other melodic names ending in 'a'. Though never reaching the top rankings, the name conveys a sense of happiness and vivacity. The name's bright, uplifting meaning and pleasant sound continue to attract parents seeking a relatively uncommon name with positive associations and straightforward pronunciation.

One of many international versions of this classic.

Helisent was used in the medieval days and has royal antecedents found in both France and Germany. Information on its origins is sketchy, but some say it's related to Elise or Helen or Heloise, or that it derives from a Visigothic name meaning "temple path". Variants include Elisende, Elisenda, Elysant, Elysande, Elissent and Elisent.

Lene is a feminine name with Scandinavian and Northern European origins, commonly used in Denmark, Norway, and Germany. It typically functions as a short form of names like Helene, Magdalene, or Arlene. Pronounced 'LEH-neh' in Scandinavian countries or 'LAY-nuh' in some Germanic regions, the name has a clean, simple elegance. In Danish, it can relate to 'den lyse' meaning 'the bright one.' Lene gained particular popularity in Scandinavia during the mid-20th century and remains appreciated for its understated charm. The name's brevity and international recognizability make it practical across cultures, while its Scandinavian roots provide a connection to Northern European heritage and the values of simplicity and clarity often associated with Nordic culture.

Lelya is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variant of Leila or Layla, names with Arabic origins meaning 'night' or 'dark beauty.' Alternatively, it could be related to the Russian diminutive of Elena (Lelya) or have connections to similar-sounding names in various cultures. The name has a delicate, flowing quality with its soft consonants and open vowel sounds. While never achieving widespread popularity in English-speaking countries, Lelya has a cross-cultural appeal with its simple, melodic structure. The name's brevity and ease of pronunciation make it accessible across language barriers, while its relative rarity offers a sense of uniqueness without seeming invented or difficult to recognize.

Galena is the feminine of the Galen, which means calm. Galena is also a mineral-related name, a type of lead.