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

It has had a devastating effect on Helen, from Penrhyn-coch near Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, who went from enjoying sea swims and daily dog walks to "struggling to make new memories", according to daughter Jane Richards.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

That’s the hypothesis of one of the world’s shrewdest and most respected analysts of geopolitics and energy, Cambridge University political economy professor Helen Thompson.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 11, 2026

Ireland's armed forces have been put "on standby" to assist with clearing the blockades, defence minister Helen McEntee has said.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

“With Easter and the school holidays falling earlier this year, retailers were expecting a stronger boost to footfall than March delivered,” BRC Chief Executive Helen Dickinson said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

While I tried to devour my tears, a fit of coughing seized Helen; it did not, however, wake the nurse; when it was over, she lay some minutes exhausted; then she whispered—

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë