Helena

Helena is a female given name used in many languages. It is a feminine form of Helen, derived from the Greek Helene, with the exact etymology uncertain; it is often associated with brightness or light in popular interpretation. The name has been widely used in Christian and classical contexts, contributing to its enduring popularity.

Saint Helena (St. Helena) refers to Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine the Great, a Christian saint venerated in Eastern and Western traditions. She is traditionally credited with guiding Constantine’s efforts in a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, where she is said to have discovered the True Cross. The island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean is named after her; it became famous as Napoleon Bonaparte’s place of exile in the early 19th century and remains a British overseas territory.

Geographic names: Helena, Montana, is the capital city of the U.S. state of Montana and the seat of Lewis and Clark County, known for state government offices, the state capitol, and nearby mountains. In Arkansas, Helena is a city in Phillips County, part of the Helena-West Helena combined city since 2006; the area lies in the Mississippi Delta. Other localities around the world also bear the name.

Culturally, Helena appears in literature as the heroine of Shakespeare’s All’s Well That Ends Well. The name has appeared in music and film as well; notable bearers include Helena Bonham Carter, a British actress, and Helena Christensen, a Danish model.