I'm doing a short story spin-off of my main book to give away for free for promotion. Now I'm trying to hide a character in there, who's named Helen in the big book, and I'm trying to find out the best pet name for a woman called Helen. I already snuck in a specific trait, but I want one more hint and I figure the name might do the trick. Kinda that "oh yeah!" moment when you put 2 and 2 together. If it helps: Helen is in her forties, lives in late 16th century Scotland, and she's the owner of a flower shop. This time. Personally, I'm thinking of going with Lennie/Lenny, but I'm not sold on it yet, so I'm open to better suggestions.
I have a friend called Helen who - as I suspect many Helens are - is known as Hels Bels, sometimes just Hels, sometimes just Bels which might work for your character? Bels would be a cognitive step away.
Maybe not quite what you're looking for however, this may be of interest - see first paragraph. Eilidh | Baby Name | Popularity & Meaning | Scottish Girls Names
I've been through a list of pet names for Helen, and this was indeed one of them. But considering the story revolves around a man making a deal with the Devil, I'm gonna avoid confusion in the Hel(l) area. ;o) Oh, right. I forgot to check the Gaelic names. I guess we have a winner. That I could and should have just figured out myself. My apologies for bothering you.