Helen

American  

[hel-uhn] / ˈhɛl ən /

noun

1. Also called Helen of Troy.  Classical Mythology. the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda and wife of Menelaus whose abduction by Paris was the cause of the Trojan War.

2. a female given name.

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Helen British  

/ ˈhɛlɪn /

noun

1. Greek myth the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda, whose abduction by Paris from her husband Menelaus caused the Trojan War

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Etymology

Origin of Helen

< French Hélène < Latin Helena < Greek Helénē, of obscure origin, probably the name of a pre-Greek vegetation goddess; often linked by folk etymology with helénē, helánē torch, St. Elmo's fire, an unrelated word

Example Sentences

I cannot think of another who would call for, and take such cathartic pleasure in, Helen Mirren’s reading of “Ulysses” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

Supporters of Nyong’o’s casting note that Helen of Troy is not a historical figure bound to a single visual interpretation, but a literary and symbolic character whose meaning has shifted across cultures and eras.

From Salon • May 16, 2026

Surely the Ritz Cinema is the theater Herriot describes as he begins his courtship of Helen Alderson; a blue circle marker proudly declares its date of establishment as a picture house, 1912.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

"The attack on the Hatzola ambulances caused considerable community concern and we have been working continuously to investigate this incident," Cdr Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Police London, said.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

Her eyes staring straight ahead, Helen jiggles her arm so I know the brush was intentional.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse