Helena | Name Meaning & Origin

Saints Names, English Names, Russian Names, Spanish Names

English and Spanish speaking countries

Helena of Constantinople (also known as St Helena) was the mother of Roman Emperor Constantine I, the first Christian emperor. She became a saint due to her piety, and is supposed to have found the relics of the true cross. British folklore states that she was the daughter of the British king Cole.

There are various places named St Helena, in particular, a volcanic island in the Atlantic Ocean where Napoleon Bonaparte was imprisoned and died.

Helena was one of the daughters of Queen Victoria.

Actress Helena Bonham-Carter, and Danish supermodel Helena Christensen are more modern bearers of the name.

In Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer's Night Dream' Helena is one of the four lovers. She is originally in love with Demetrius who loves Hermia, but after the fairies intervene both Demetrius and Hermia's lover Lysander fall in love with her.