Helen: Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, and More

Fact: In Greek mythology, Helen of Troy’s beauty was said to have sparked the Trojan War.

Helen Overview

Meaning

Light, torch, shining, warming

Gender

Girl

Origin

Greek

Etymology

Derived from the Greek name ‘Ἑλένη’ (Helene).

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈhɛlən/

Popularity

Helen has been popular, especially during the early 20th century.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

5 letters

Numerology

8 (Practical, Ambitious, Materialistic)

Name Styles

Classic, Vintage, Mythological

Associated Traits

Beauty, radiance, wisdom, strength

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Linked to Greek mythology as Helen of Troy and to Christian history through Saint Helen, mother of Emperor Constantine I.

Name Day

May 21st

Helen Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Helena, Elena, Ellen, Helene, Hélène, Eileen, Elin, Eleanor, Elaine, Ilona

Common Nicknames

Nellie, Leni, Hela, Lainie, Lina, Helenka

Diminutives

Nell, Lena, Ellie, Elle

Famous People

Helen Keller
(American Activist)
Helen Mirren
(British Actress)
Helen Hunt
(American Actress)
Helen McCrory
(British Actress)
Helen Reddy
(Australian-American Singer)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

Helen of Troy
("The Iliad," Ancient Greek Epic Poem)
Helen
("Troy," Film)
Helen Parr
("The Incredibles," Film)
Helen Harris
("Raising Helen," Film)

Places

Helen City
(Georgia, USA)
Lake Helen City
(Florida, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Helen?

Helen is a name with the meaning “light,” “torch,” “shining”, or “warming.”

This name has historically been associated with beauty and radiance.

What Is the Origin of The Name Helen?

The name Helen derives from the Greek name ‘Ἑλένη’ (Helene), which is believed to come from the word “helios,” meaning “sun,” or “selene,” meaning “moon.”

The name’s history is richly woven into Greek mythology, where Helen was the daughter of Zeus and Leda.

Its significance carried over into Christian contexts, where Saint Helen, the mother of Emperor Constantine I, was renowned for finding the True Cross, lending the name historical and spiritual weight.

Helen Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Helen in the U.S. over the Years

United States	#4432021	#4212022	#3972023
Top 3 Rankings	#21900	#21901	#21902

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Helen

Year	Name Ranking	Number of Births	Birth Rate (%)
2023	397 (+24 from 2022)	768 (+19 from 2022)	0.04391
2022	421 (+22 from 2021)	749 (+45 from 2021)	0.04177
2021	443 (-18 from 2020)	704 (-17 from 2020)	0.03930
2020	425 (+2 from 2019)	721 (-22 from 2019)	0.04079
2019	427 (-13 from 2018)	743 (-2 from 2018)	0.04049
2018	414 (+4 from 2017)	745 (-18 from 2017)	0.04006
2017	418 (-9 from 2016)	763 (-52 from 2016)	0.04039
2016	409 (+10 from 2015)	815 (+48 from 2015)	0.04210
2015	419 (-16 from 2014)	767 (-35 from 2014)	0.03932
2014	403 (+8 from 2013)	802 (+62 from 2013)	0.04100
2013	411 (-8 from 2012)	740 (-32 from 2012)	0.03839
2012	403 (+26 from 2011)	772 (+42 from 2011)	0.03980
2011	429 (+8 from 2010)	730 (+26 from 2010)	0.03767
2010	437 (-49 from 2009)	704 (-122 from 2009)	0.03591
2009	388 (-20 from 2008)	826 (-59 from 2008)	0.04079
2008	368 (-19 from 2007)	885 (-47 from 2007)	0.04249
2007	349 (-2 from 2006)	932 (-17 from 2006)	0.04403
2006	347 (-14 from 2005)	949 (-11 from 2005)	0.04540
2005	333 (+31 from 2004)	960 (+99 from 2004)	0.04730
2004	364 (+28 from 2003)	861 (+78 from 2003)	0.04267
2003	392 (-51 from 2002)	783 (-92 from 2002)	0.03902
2002	341 (+3 from 2001)	875 (-9 from 2001)	0.04430
2001	344 (+1 from 2000)	884 (-7 from 2000)	0.04463
2000	345 (+11 from 1999)	891 (+50 from 1999)	0.04465
1999	356 (-8 from 1998)	841 (+9 from 1998)	0.04320
1998	348 (-3 from 1997)	832 (+20 from 1997)	0.04292
1997	345 (-33 from 1996)	812 (-88 from 1996)	0.04253
1996	312 (+12 from 1995)	900 (+62 from 1995)	0.04694
1995	324 (-3 from 1994)	838 (-11 from 1994)	0.04361
1994	321 (-14 from 1993)	849 (-19 from 1993)	0.04355
1993	307 (+19 from 1992)	868 (+40 from 1992)	0.04403
1992	326 (+14 from 1991)	828 (+54 from 1991)	0.04130
1991	340 (-24 from 1990)	774 (-89 from 1990)	0.03806
1990	316 (-12 from 1989)	863 (+5 from 1989)	0.04201
1989	304 (+18 from 1988)	858 (+84 from 1988)	0.04307
1988	322 (-25 from 1987)	774 (-42 from 1987)	0.04025
1987	297 (+14 from 1986)	816 (+48 from 1986)	0.04354
1986	311 (-10 from 1985)	768 (-40 from 1985)	0.04161
1985	301 (-20 from 1984)	808 (-50 from 1984)	0.04376
1984	281 (-3 from 1983)	858 (+14 from 1983)	0.04758
1983	278 (+1 from 1982)	844 (-32 from 1982)	0.04716
1982	279 (-4 from 1981)	876 (-23 from 1981)	0.04828
1981	275 (-3 from 1980)	899 (-14 from 1980)	0.05027
1980	272 (+7 from 1979)	913 (+35 from 1979)	0.05127
1979	279 (-24 from 1978)	878 (-46 from 1978)	0.05095
1978	255 (-6 from 1977)	924 (-70 from 1977)	0.05621
1977	249 (+1 from 1976)	994 (+50 from 1976)	0.06043
1976	250 (-21 from 1975)	944 (-115 from 1975)	0.06005
1975	229 (-4 from 1974)	1059 (-82 from 1974)	0.06785
1974	225 (-4 from 1973)	1141 (+5 from 1973)	0.07285
1973	221 (+4 from 1972)	1136 (-105 from 1972)	0.07310
1972	225 (-16 from 1971)	1241 (-199 from 1971)	0.07696
1971	209 (-18 from 1970)	1440 (-278 from 1970)	0.08216
1970	191 (-16 from 1969)	1718 (-140 from 1969)	0.09378
1969	175 (-2 from 1968)	1858 (-26 from 1968)	0.10540
1968	173 (-15 from 1967)	1884 (-272 from 1967)	0.11020
1967	158 (-14 from 1966)	2156 (-291 from 1966)	0.12558
1966	144 (-7 from 1965)	2447 (-354 from 1965)	0.13937
1965	137 (-5 from 1964)	2801 (-299 from 1964)	0.15327
1964	132 (-8 from 1963)	3100 (-238 from 1963)	0.15838
1963	124 (+4 from 1962)	3338 (-248 from 1962)	0.16790
1962	128 (-9 from 1961)	3586 (-272 from 1961)	0.17692
1961	119 (-1 from 1960)	3858 (-211 from 1960)	0.18574
1960	118 (-10 from 1959)	4069 (-305 from 1959)	0.19565
1959	108 (-8 from 1958)	4374 (-395 from 1958)	0.21043
1958	100 (-5 from 1957)	4769 (-251 from 1957)	0.23086
1957	95 (-5 from 1956)	5020 (-260 from 1956)	0.23926
1956	90 (-12 from 1955)	5280 (-311 from 1955)	0.25637
1955	78 (-6 from 1954)	5591 (-356 from 1954)	0.27887
1954	72 (-7 from 1953)	5947 (-176 from 1953)	0.29872
1953	65 (-2 from 1952)	6123 (-340 from 1952)	0.31734
1952	63 (-9 from 1951)	6463 (-487 from 1951)	0.33980
1951	54 (-4 from 1950)	6950 (-109 from 1950)	0.37623
1950	50 (-4 from 1949)	7059 (-648 from 1949)	0.40142
1949	46 (-6 from 1948)	7707 (-594 from 1948)	0.43902
1948	40 (-2 from 1947)	8301 (-679 from 1947)	0.47633
1947	38 (-2 from 1946)	8980 (+129 from 1946)	0.49398
1946	36 (-5 from 1945)	8851 (+550 from 1945)	0.54876
1945	31 No change from 1944	8301 (-395 from 1944)	0.61667
1944	31 (-3 from 1943)	8696 (-1103 from 1943)	0.63636
1943	28 (-2 from 1942)	9799 (-217 from 1942)	0.68267
1942	26 (-2 from 1941)	10016 (+130 from 1941)	0.72033
1941	24 (-6 from 1940)	9886 (-319 from 1940)	0.79342
1940	18 (-2 from 1939)	10205 (-213 from 1939)	0.86385
1939	16 (-3 from 1938)	10418 (-418 from 1938)	0.91864
1938	13 (-1 from 1937)	10836 (-619 from 1937)	0.94932
1937	12 (-1 from 1936)	11455 (-779 from 1936)	1.03962
1936	11 (-1 from 1935)	12234 (-550 from 1935)	1.13535
1935	10 (-1 from 1934)	12784 (-1317 from 1934)	1.17633
1934	9 (-1 from 1933)	14101 (-543 from 1933)	1.30282
1933	8 No change from 1932	14644 (-1732 from 1932)	1.39995
1932	8 (-2 from 1931)	16376 (-1287 from 1931)	1.48025
1931	6 (-2 from 1930)	17663 (-2251 from 1930)	1.60032
1930	4 No change from 1929	19914 (-1068 from 1929)	1.70722
1929	4 No change from 1928	20982 (-1954 from 1928)	1.81262
1928	4 No change from 1927	22936 (-2383 from 1927)	1.91848
1927	4 No change from 1926	25319 (-1566 from 1926)	2.04773
1926	4 No change from 1925	26885 (-2287 from 1925)	2.18546
1925	4 (-1 from 1924)	29172 (-2022 from 1924)	2.30959
1924	3 No change from 1923	31194 (-292 from 1923)	2.40755
1923	3 No change from 1922	31486 (-1024 from 1922)	2.51392
1922	3 No change from 1921	32510 (-2312 from 1921)	2.60585
1921	3 No change from 1920	34822 (-275 from 1920)	2.72107
1920	3 (-1 from 1919)	35097 (+1391 from 1919)	2.82123
1919	2 No change from 1918	33706 (-2442 from 1918)	2.86948
1918	2 No change from 1917	36148 (+1897 from 1917)	3.00643
1917	2 No change from 1916	34251 (+1590 from 1916)	3.04809
1916	2 No change from 1915	32661 (+1795 from 1915)	3.00825
1915	2 No change from 1914	30866 (+7645 from 1914)	3.01466
1914	2 No change from 1913	23221 (+4333 from 1913)	2.91491
1913	2 No change from 1912	18888 (+2755 from 1912)	2.88404
1912	2 No change from 1911	16133 (+4332 from 1911)	2.74972
1911	2 No change from 1910	11801 (+1322 from 1910)	2.67102
1910	2 No change from 1909	10479 (+1229 from 1909)	2.49782
1909	2 No change from 1908	9250 (+811 from 1908)	2.51295
1908	2 No change from 1907	8439 (+860 from 1907)	2.38033
1907	2 No change from 1906	7579 (+403 from 1906)	2.24608
1906	2 No change from 1905	7176 (+365 from 1905)	2.28948
1905	2 No change from 1904	6811 (+323 from 1904)	2.19807
1904	2 No change from 1903	6488 (+359 from 1903)	2.21861
1903	2 No change from 1902	6129 (+162 from 1902)	2.20312
1902	2 No change from 1901	5967 (+720 from 1901)	2.12856
1901	2 No change from 1900	5247 (-1095 from 1900)	2.06389
1900	2 (+1 from 1899)	6342 (+1294 from 1899)	1.99598
1899	3 No change from 1898	5048 (-182 from 1898)	2.03969
1898	3 No change from 1897	5230 (+711 from 1897)	1.90774
1897	3 No change from 1896	4519 (+127 from 1896)	1.82016
1896	3 No change from 1895	4392 (+369 from 1895)	1.74291
1895	3 (+1 from 1894)	4023 (+347 from 1894)	1.62805
1894	4 (+2 from 1893)	3676 (+427 from 1893)	1.55781
1893	6 (+3 from 1892)	3249 (+313 from 1892)	1.44251
1892	9 No change from 1891	2936 (+519 from 1891)	1.30539
1891	9 (+3 from 1890)	2417 (+105 from 1890)	1.22961
1890	12 (+5 from 1889)	2312 (+403 from 1889)	1.14647
1889	17 (-1 from 1888)	1909 (+62 from 1888)	1.00889
1888	16 (+5 from 1887)	1847 (+442 from 1887)	0.97495
1887	21 (+4 from 1886)	1405 (+138 from 1886)	0.90398
1886	25 (+3 from 1885)	1267 (+133 from 1885)	0.82415
1885	28 (+5 from 1884)	1134 (+148 from 1884)	0.79889
1884	33 (+2 from 1883)	986 (+124 from 1883)	0.71665
1883	35 (-4 from 1882)	862 (+24 from 1882)	0.71797
1882	31 (+12 from 1881)	838 (+226 from 1881)	0.72432
1881	43 (-8 from 1880)	612 (-24 from 1880)	0.61909
1880	35 First SSA data recorded	636 First SSA data recorded	0.65161

American States Popularity Rankings for Helen

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

Pennsylvania (PA)

#7182021

#6492022

#7472023

New York (NY)

#3532021

#4062022

#4422023

Illinois (IL)

#5632021

#5562022

#6552023

Ohio (OH)

#7432021

#4572022

#6142023

California (CA)

#5082021

#5142022

#3442023

Texas (TX)

#4652021

#3532022

#3602023

New Jersey (NJ)

#4042021

#3832022

#3382023

Massachusetts (MA)

#2612021

#2542022

#4092023

Michigan (MI)

#6322021

#5702022

#5182023

Missouri (MO)

#6402021

#5752022

#6772023

North Carolina (NC)

#2852021

#4352022

#4042023

Indiana (IN)

#4652021

#4872022

#4102023

Virginia (VA)

#2352021

#2462022

#2922023

Tennessee (TN)

#4412021

#3552022

#4582023

Kentucky (KY)

#4762021

#4892022

#5292023

Georgia (GA)

#3172021

#3882022

#2562023

Wisconsin (WI)

#6302021

#4822022

#4272023

Minnesota (MN)

#4572021

#3512022

#4742023

West Virginia (WV)

#2601997

#3592007

#3532009

Iowa (IA)

#5202020

#4582021

#6202022

Alabama (AL)

#3712021

#2642022

#3572023

Maryland (MD)

#3692021

#1342022

#2242023

Oklahoma (OK)

#5742021

#6572022

#6582023

Louisiana (LA)

#6112021

#6752022

#4462023

South Carolina (SC)

#6272021

#3312022

#3782023

Connecticut (CT)

#5132021

#3632022

#2552023

Arkansas (AR)

#3272021

#2272022

#2432023

Kansas (KS)

#6152020

#4042021

#5262023

Mississippi (MS)

#4962021

#3752022

#3602023

Florida (FL)

#4722021

#5182022

#3862023

Nebraska (NE)

#4002017

#3802018

#3612020

Washington (WA)

#4202021

#2782022

#4242023

Colorado (CO)

#3162021

#4882022

#2932023

Oregon (OR)

#3382020

#3372021

#4772023

Montana (MT)

#2321981

#2311982

#1872001

District of Columbia (DC)

#1032020

#1862021

#1962022

North Dakota (ND)

#1681964

#2241965

#2111970

Rhode Island (RI)

#1512005

#1822007

#1992012

South Dakota (SD)

#1951968

#1861970

#2051977

Utah (UT)

#5252019

#5232021

#4242023

Maine (ME)

#1612008

#2042009

#2062010

Arizona (AZ)

#8652021

#7952022

#5242023

New Mexico (NM)

#3572008

#3142017

#2102023

Idaho (ID)

#3932005

#4062007

#3372017

Hawaii (HI)

#2111990

#2721993

#2532005

New Hampshire (NH)

#1781999

#1592000

#1982002

Delaware (DE)

#1501977

#1712006

#2032020

Vermont (VT)

#1171968

#1321975

#861999

Wyoming (WY)

#861965

#1241975

#1581983

Alaska (AK)

#1482009

#1862017

#1652018

Nevada (NV)

#3682017

#3182019

#3832022

Popularity Rankings for Helen in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW)

#731980

#921981

#841982

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland

#2972022

#1182023

Popularity in Chile

Chile

#1722009

#1792010

#1912011

Popularity in Germany

Germany

#2332021

#2282022

#2312023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland

#3902021

#3892022

#2622023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand

#3102007

#3942008

#3642011

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

#3112011

#4402013

#3912023

Popularity in Poland

Poland

#5742018

#5072019

#3292022

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland

#3942011

#3972012

#3462014

Popularity in Norway

Norway

#3652019

#4062021

#4672022

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland

#6392020

#5882021

#3932022

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden

#4332022

#5502023

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico

#6281999

#5402002

#5132005

Popularity in Canada

Canada

#6822020

#6622021

#6802022

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada

#6882012

#8112015

#6942016

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales

#7492019

#7492020

#7882021

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Helen a Name for Boys or Girls?

Helen is predominantly a female name with feminine beauty and grace due to its mythological and historical connections.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Helen

Meaning: Shining light, torch, sun ray
Origin: GreekHelena
Meaning: Shining light
Origin: GreekElena
Ellen
Helene
Hélène
Meaning: Desired, little bird, strength
Origin: IrishEileen
Elin
Meaning: The other Aenor, light, sun ray, shining light
Origin: Old French, GreekEleanor
Meaning: Bright, shining light, sun ray
Origin: FrenchElaine
Ilona

Meaning: Horn, sun ray, shining light
Origin: LatinNellie
Leni
Hela
Lainie
Meaning: Young palm tree, tender, sunlight, flax
Origin: Persian, Arabic, German, GreekLina
Helenka

Helen in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

Helen Keller (Activist, 1880–1968): An American author, political activist, and lecturer who overcame the adversity of being both deaf and blind to become a leading humanitarian.
Helen Mirren (Actress, born 1945): A renowned British actress known for her roles in "The Queen" and "Prime Suspect," and a recipient of an Academy Award, Tony Award, and multiple Emmys.
Helen Hunt (Actress, born 1963): An American actress famous for her roles in "Mad About You" and "As Good as It Gets," winning both an Academy Award and multiple Emmy Awards.
Helen McCrory (Actress, 1968–2021): A British actress known for her roles in "Peaky Blinders" and "Harry Potter" series.
Helen Reddy (Singer, 1941–2020): An Australian-American singer best known for her hit song "I Am Woman," which became an anthem for the feminist movement.
Helen Fielding (Author, born 1958): The English novelist and screenwriter behind the beloved "Bridget Jones's Diary" series.
Helen Clark (Politician, born 1950): A New Zealand politician who served as the Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1999 to 2008.
Helen Hayes (Actress, 1900–1993): Known as the "First Lady of American Theatre," she was one of the few people to win an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award.
Helen Skelton (TV Presenter, born 1983): An English television presenter known for co-hosting "Blue Peter" and "Countryfile."
Helen Glover (Rower, born 1986): A British rower who is a two-time Olympic champion and a multiple world champion in coxless pairs.

Helen of Troy ("The Iliad," Ancient Greek Epic Poem): Known as the face that launched a thousand ships, she is a central figure in Greek mythology and the Trojan War.
Helen ("Troy," 2004 Film): Played by Diane Kruger, Helen is portrayed as the beautiful queen whose abduction by Paris sparks the Trojan War.
Helen Parr ("The Incredibles," 2004 Film): Also known as Elastigirl, she is a superheroine in the Pixar animated film.
Helen Harris ("Raising Helen," 2004 Film): Played by Kate Hudson, this character takes on the responsibility of raising her sister's children.
Helen Tasker ("True Lies," 1994 Film): Played by Jamie Lee Curtis, she is the unsuspecting wife of a secret agent.
Helen Thermopolis ("The Princess Diaries," 2001 Film): The mother of Mia Thermopolis, portrayed by Julie Andrews.
Helen Benson ("The Day the Earth Stood Still," 1951/2008 Film): A character who interacts with the alien Klaatu in this classic science fiction film.
Helen Schlegel ("Howards End," 1992 Film): Played by Helena Bonham Carter, she is one of the central characters in this adaptation of E.M. Forster's novel.
Helen Tasker ("True Lies," 1994 Film): A character portrayed by Jamie Lee Curtis who discovers her husband is a spy.

Helen City (Georgia, USA): A city in the Appalachian Mountains known for its Bavarian-style buildings and alpine aesthetic.
Lake Helen City (Florida, USA): A small city named after a nearby lake, known for its historic architecture and small-town charm.

Helen Name Meaning