'Elena' versus 'Helena'

The correct spelling of her first name is a subject of confusion. In Greek, there used to be an accent called a spiritus asper accent to indicate the 'h' sound (just as the 'h' in 'Helena'). This was abolished several centuries ago, and the Greek name 'Έλενα' was already pronounced 'Elena' at the time of Elena Paparizou's birth. The spelling with the spiritus asper however was maintained in a system known as polytonic orthography which, having no vocal significance, finally ceased to be used some decades ago.

 

Elena Paparizou on the other hand, was born in Sweden where the name's version 'Helena' exists, and one could presume with little uncertainty that many Swedes transliterated her name as 'Helena'. That is to say, Paparizou's name is Elena, but has been misspelled 'Helena'. Even though many Swedes misspell it, her official name has been registered by Swedish authorities as ‘Elena,’ which has also been used by her and previously by media in Sweden.

 

Her name has always been spelt 'Elena' during her career in Greece, but in Sweden, and in all countries except Greece as her second appearance in Eurovision (in 2005) approached, the spelling 'Helena' grew more common, and the songstress herself admitted in a Swedish interview that she was forced by her record company to spell her name with a 'H'. Her official website is HelenaPaparizou.com, and the "H" appears on all official releases outside of Greece. The singer, however, has made it known that her name is correctly written as Elena, according to the exact transcription from Greek, and this is how she prefers to be known.

 

Oh. :unsure: I've always referred to her as Helena. :( It looks better than Elena imo.

Elena all the way ^_^

To be honest, I prefer Helena and use it even though I've always known in my heart of hearts that it's Elena :unsure:

 

I knew it was Elena!that's the right spelling inm my country too but I since last esc I'm calling her Helena :lol:

At first i called her Helena but then i found out her name was Elena and still called her Helena because it sounds better and looks better lol!

But is Elena said like Helena or el - a/ay - na

it el- ena