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My SIL's MIL is named Helene!

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She says it like "eh LEHN" or "eeh LEHN" but I've also heard it like Elaine with an H here which I think works

I would pronounce it heh-LEN. I prefer Helena which is one of my favourite girls names.

I pronounce it "heh-LAYN" and I love the name (with that pronunciation).

Default English-speaking South African = heLEEN.
Default Afrikaans-speaking South African = heLEEuhnuh (pretty much. The accented middle syllable is like mere, near, King Lear - without the r for those who sound it)

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I would hope it was actually pronounced the French way and that the accents has somehow fallen off; but locally I'd expect heLEEN.

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I really do not like it, and I'm not keen on Elaine either. Helen, however, is very near the top of my personal chart; neat, tidy, classic and sunshiny.

I love the French pronunciation, "eh-LEN / ay-LEN." But in real life I'd assume it was more like, "heh-LEEN," which I don't like at all.

This message was edited 7/30/2012, 5:52 PM

with no accents, heh LEH nə
as Hélène = eh LEN
It's nice, but for ease of pronunciation I'd probably pick Helen or Elen instead.

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I adore Helene only when pronounced so as to rhyme with pane, rain, Jane, etc.

I pronounce it heh-LEEN, which was how my former neighbor pronounced it. It's okay. I like the French Hélène more, so if paired with a French last name, I'd try ay-LEN and hope for the best.

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Overall, I prefer Helen and Helena.