Hella

Hella is a Germanic feminine name, most commonly used in German and Scandinavian contexts, where it originated as a short form of names beginning with the element heil, meaning whole, healthy, or prosperous. It is also closely associated with Hel, the Old Norse goddess who ruled over the realm of the dead, lending the name a mythological resonance in Nordic cultures. The Finnish form Hellä is an independent native word meaning tender or gentle, giving it a distinct meaning in that tradition. Related names include Helga, Hilde, and the Scandinavian Helle.