International Variations of Helen

Ileana

Romanian, from Greek

"torch; shining light"

A trendy and fashionable-sounding Romanian name with rich history. There was a mythical Romanian princess with the name, and it was also a name used by real-life Romanian royalty.

Ileene

Ileene is a feminine name that represents a variant spelling of Eileen or Ilene. These names ultimately derive from the Greek name Helen, meaning 'torch' or 'light.' The name traveled through Gaelic…

Ilene

English variation of Eileen, Irish

"desired, water, island; light, shining torch"

Eileen is technically already an Anglicization of Eibhlin, the Gaelic form of Aveline, that may additionally be considered a variation of Helen. This form streamlines the spelling further, drawing…

Ilka

Hungarian diminutive of Ilona; variation of Helen

"bright, shining one"

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

Ilona

Hungarian variation of Helen, Finnish

"shining torch; light; joy"

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…

Ilonka

Ilonka is a feminine name with Hungarian origins, functioning as a diminutive form of Ilona, which is the Hungarian version of Helen. The root name Helen comes from Greek, meaning "bright, shining…

Iluska

Iluska is a feminine name with Hungarian origins, functioning as a diminutive form of Ilona (the Hungarian variant of Helen). With its roots in Magyar culture, the name carries a distinctly Eastern…

Jelena

Russian, Serbian, Croatian, Estonian

"light"

A pretty international form of Helena used in many Slavic languages, also sometimes spelled Yelena.

Laina

Short form of Elaine, French and Scottish

"bright, shining light"

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. Laina, Lainey,…

Léana

Léana is a feminine name with multiple potential origins, including French, where it's considered a variant of Léna or Léona, meaning 'light' or 'lioness.' It may also derive from the Hawaiian…