Helena Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Helena Name Meaning

Fact: Helena has royal ties, as it was the name of a daughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. Princess Helena was known for her work in nursing and the arts.

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A Deep Dive

Helena Overview

Meaning

Shining light, torch, sun ray

Gender

Girl

Origin

Greek

Etymology

Derived from the Greek name “Helenē,” meaning “sun.”

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/həˈliːnə/

Popularity

Helena enjoys global admiration, particularly in European countries like Sweden, Portugal, and Spain. In the USA, Helena ranked 456th for girls in 2023.

Syllable

3 syllables

Length

6 letters

Numerology

9 (Humanitarian, Selfless, Creative)

Name Styles

Classic, Mythological, Vintage

Associated Traits

Elegant, graceful, strong, intelligent

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Helena is associated with Saint Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great, who is credited with finding the True Cross.

Name Day

August 18th (Poland)
A Deep Dive

Helena Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Elena, Helene, Eleni, Elaine, Hélène

Common Nicknames

Lena, Nell, Leni, Hela, Ellie

Diminutives

Hel, Helly, Nella

Famous People

  • Helena Bonham Carter
    (British Actress)
  • Helena Christensen
    (Danish Model)
  • Helena Rubinstein
    (Polish-American Businesswoman)
  • Helena Paparizou
    (Greek-Swedish Singer)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Helena
    ("A Midsummer Night's Dream," Play)
  • Helena Bertinelli
    ("Birds of Prey," Film)
  • "Helena"
    (Song by My Chemical Romance)
  • Helena Ravenclaw
    ("Harry Potter," Novel Series)

Places

  • Helena City
    (Montana, USA)
  • Helena River
    (Western Australia, Australia)
  • Santa Helena City
    (Paraná, Brazil)
  • St. Helena Island
    (South Carolina, USA)
  • Helena National Forest
    (Montana, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Helena?

The name Helena means “bright,” “sun ray,” or “shining light.” This name is often associated with a radiant and intelligent personality, exuding warmth and positivity.

What Is the Origin of The Name Helena?

Helena originates from the Greek name Helenē, which comes from the word “hēlios,” meaning “sun.” Over time, it has been adopted into various languages and cultures, including Latin, where it became popular through Saint Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine.

Helena Name Popularity

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

United States flagUnited States#5122021#4732022#4562023
Top 3 Rankings#1941881#1981880#2011884

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Helena

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023456
(+17 from 2022)
675
(+4 from 2022)
0.03859
2022473
(+39 from 2021)
671
(+67 from 2021)
0.03742
2021512
(-1 from 2020)
604
(+12 from 2020)
0.03371
2020511
(-37 from 2019)
592
(-65 from 2019)
0.03349
2019474
(-16 from 2018)
657
(-31 from 2018)
0.03581
2018458
(+57 from 2017)
688
(+79 from 2017)
0.03700
2017515
(+2 from 2016)
609
(+7 from 2016)
0.03224
2016517
(+17 from 2015)
602
(+19 from 2015)
0.03110
2015534
(-36 from 2014)
583
(-43 from 2014)
0.02988
2014498
(+50 from 2013)
626
(+85 from 2013)
0.03200
2013548
(+10 from 2012)
541
(+13 from 2012)
0.02806
2012558
(+28 from 2011)
528
(+37 from 2011)
0.02722
2011586
(-53 from 2010)
491
(-59 from 2010)
0.02534
2010533
(+40 from 2009)
550
(+17 from 2009)
0.02805
2009573
(+36 from 2008)
533
(+30 from 2008)
0.02632
2008609
(-73 from 2007)
503
(-81 from 2007)
0.02415
2007536
(-25 from 2006)
584
(-11 from 2006)
0.02759
2006511
(+31 from 2005)
595
(+65 from 2005)
0.02846
2005542
(+18 from 2004)
530
(+19 from 2004)
0.02611
2004560
(-39 from 2003)
511
(-30 from 2003)
0.02532
2003521
(+78 from 2002)
541
(+109 from 2002)
0.02696
2002599
(+6 from 2001)
432
(+16 from 2001)
0.02187
2001605
(+57 from 2000)
416
(+49 from 2000)
0.02100
2000662
(-72 from 1999)
367
(-48 from 1999)
0.01839
1999590
(+88 from 1998)
415
(+76 from 1998)
0.02132
1998678
(+15 from 1997)
339
(+29 from 1997)
0.01749
1997693
(-53 from 1996)
310
(-40 from 1996)
0.01624
1996640
(-3 from 1995)
350
(+8 from 1995)
0.01826
1995637
(+87 from 1994)
342
(+55 from 1994)
0.01780
1994724
(+117 from 1993)
287
(+54 from 1993)
0.01472
1993841
(+165 from 1992)
233
(+46 from 1992)
0.01182
19921006
(-44 from 1991)
187
(-9 from 1991)
0.00933
1991962
(-17 from 1990)
196
(-4 from 1990)
0.00964
1990945
(+41 from 1989)
200
(+25 from 1989)
0.00974
1989986
(-73 from 1988)
175
(-12 from 1988)
0.00878
1988913
(+47 from 1987)
187
(+21 from 1987)
0.00972
1987960
(-145 from 1986)
166
(-40 from 1986)
0.00886
1986815
(+43 from 1985)
206
(+19 from 1985)
0.01116
1985858
(-69 from 1984)
187
(-16 from 1984)
0.01013
1984789
(-15 from 1983)
203
(-3 from 1983)
0.01126
1983774
(-66 from 1982)
206
(-38 from 1982)
0.01151
1982708
(+35 from 1981)
244
(+22 from 1981)
0.01345
1981743
(+16 from 1980)
222
(+4 from 1980)
0.01241
1980759
(-66 from 1979)
218
(-26 from 1979)
0.01224
1979693
(+41 from 1978)
244
(+31 from 1978)
0.01416
1978734
(-9 from 1977)
213
No change from 1977
0.01296
1977725
(+47 from 1976)
213
(+27 from 1976)
0.01295
1976772
(-51 from 1975)
186
(-19 from 1975)
0.01183
1975721
(+17 from 1974)
205
(+12 from 1974)
0.01313
1974738
(+5 from 1973)
193
(+5 from 1973)
0.01232
1973743
(-5 from 1972)
188
(-1 from 1972)
0.01210
1972738
(+38 from 1971)
189
(+2 from 1971)
0.01172
1971776
(-40 from 1970)
187
(-14 from 1970)
0.01067
1970736
(-13 from 1969)
201
(+8 from 1969)
0.01097
1969723
(-8 from 1968)
193
(+8 from 1968)
0.01095
1968715
(-20 from 1967)
185
(-12 from 1967)
0.01082
1967695
(-59 from 1966)
197
(-29 from 1966)
0.01147
1966636
(-42 from 1965)
226
(-34 from 1965)
0.01287
1965594
(-31 from 1964)
260
(-45 from 1964)
0.01423
1964563
(+45 from 1963)
305
(+33 from 1963)
0.01558
1963608
(+27 from 1962)
272
(+20 from 1962)
0.01368
1962635
(+34 from 1961)
252
(+15 from 1961)
0.01243
1961669
(+26 from 1960)
237
(+22 from 1960)
0.01141
1960695
(-64 from 1959)
215
(-34 from 1959)
0.01034
1959631
(+24 from 1958)
249
(+20 from 1958)
0.01198
1958655
(-54 from 1957)
229
(-34 from 1957)
0.01109
1957601
(+35 from 1956)
263
(+38 from 1956)
0.01253
1956636
(+7 from 1955)
225
(+17 from 1955)
0.01092
1955643
(-21 from 1954)
208
(-6 from 1954)
0.01037
1954622
(-36 from 1953)
214
(-14 from 1953)
0.01075
1953586
(+14 from 1952)
228
(+19 from 1952)
0.01182
1952600
(-40 from 1951)
209
(-19 from 1951)
0.01099
1951560
(+2 from 1950)
228
(+9 from 1950)
0.01234
1950562
(-7 from 1949)
219
(-7 from 1949)
0.01245
1949555
(+23 from 1948)
226
(+16 from 1948)
0.01287
1948578
(-3 from 1947)
210
(-10 from 1947)
0.01205
1947575
(-55 from 1946)
220
(-8 from 1946)
0.01210
1946520
(+30 from 1945)
228
(+50 from 1945)
0.01414
1945550
(-14 from 1944)
178
(-5 from 1944)
0.01322
1944536
(-21 from 1943)
183
(-26 from 1943)
0.01339
1943515
(-13 from 1942)
209
(-9 from 1942)
0.01456
1942502
(-2 from 1941)
218
(+24 from 1941)
0.01568
1941500
(-23 from 1940)
194
(-6 from 1940)
0.01557
1940477
(+1 from 1939)
200
(+5 from 1939)
0.01693
1939478
(+41 from 1938)
195
(+27 from 1938)
0.01719
1938519
(-55 from 1937)
168
(-30 from 1937)
0.01472
1937464
(+18 from 1936)
198
(+21 from 1936)
0.01797
1936482
(-20 from 1935)
177
(-13 from 1935)
0.01643
1935462
(+9 from 1934)
190
(+2 from 1934)
0.01748
1934471
(-12 from 1933)
188
(-17 from 1933)
0.01737
1933459
(-17 from 1932)
205
(-19 from 1932)
0.01960
1932442
(-31 from 1931)
224
(-24 from 1931)
0.02025
1931411
(+16 from 1930)
248
(+6 from 1930)
0.02247
1930427
(-6 from 1929)
242
(-10 from 1929)
0.02075
1929421
(-6 from 1928)
252
(-18 from 1928)
0.02177
1928415
(-12 from 1927)
270
(-17 from 1927)
0.02258
1927403
(+26 from 1926)
287
(+30 from 1926)
0.02321
1926429
(-66 from 1925)
257
(-94 from 1925)
0.02089
1925363
(-21 from 1924)
351
(-35 from 1924)
0.02779
1924342
(-3 from 1923)
386
(+14 from 1923)
0.02979
1923339
(+6 from 1922)
372
(+14 from 1922)
0.02970
1922345
(-11 from 1921)
358
(-33 from 1921)
0.02870
1921334
No change from 1920
391
(+8 from 1920)
0.03055
1920334
(-33 from 1919)
383
(-57 from 1919)
0.03079
1919301
(-16 from 1918)
440
(-48 from 1918)
0.03746
1918285
(+9 from 1917)
488
(+48 from 1917)
0.04059
1917294
(-5 from 1916)
440
(+16 from 1916)
0.03916
1916289
No change from 1915
424
(+19 from 1915)
0.03905
1915289
(+2 from 1914)
405
(+78 from 1914)
0.03956
1914291
(+11 from 1913)
327
(+82 from 1913)
0.04105
1913302
(+6 from 1912)
245
(+25 from 1912)
0.03741
1912308
(-10 from 1911)
220
(+45 from 1911)
0.03750
1911298
(-5 from 1910)
175
No change from 1910
0.03961
1910293
(-1 from 1909)
175
(+24 from 1909)
0.04171
1909292
(+24 from 1908)
151
(+27 from 1908)
0.04102
1908316
(-20 from 1907)
124
(-15 from 1907)
0.03498
1907296
(+51 from 1906)
139
(+46 from 1906)
0.04119
1906347
(-21 from 1905)
93
(-13 from 1905)
0.02967
1905326
(-21 from 1904)
106
(-6 from 1904)
0.03421
1904305
(-3 from 1903)
112
(+4 from 1903)
0.03830
1903302
(-32 from 1902)
108
(-25 from 1902)
0.03882
1902270
(+1 from 1901)
133
(+14 from 1901)
0.04744
1901271
(+45 from 1900)
119
(+7 from 1900)
0.04681
1900316
(-77 from 1899)
112
(-23 from 1899)
0.03525
1899239
(+19 from 1898)
135
(+2 from 1898)
0.05455
1898258
(-13 from 1897)
133
(+2 from 1897)
0.04851
1897245
(+19 from 1896)
131
(+13 from 1896)
0.05276
1896264
(+9 from 1895)
118
(+11 from 1895)
0.04683
1895273
(-6 from 1894)
107
(+1 from 1894)
0.04330
1894267
(+2 from 1893)
106
(+7 from 1893)
0.04492
1893269
(-35 from 1892)
99
(-25 from 1892)
0.04395
1892234
(+17 from 1891)
124
(+30 from 1891)
0.05513
1891251
(-3 from 1890)
94
(-6 from 1890)
0.04782
1890248
(-18 from 1889)
100
(-3 from 1889)
0.04959
1889230
(-2 from 1888)
103
No change from 1888
0.05443
1888228
(+11 from 1887)
103
(+25 from 1887)
0.05437
1887239
(+9 from 1886)
78
(+9 from 1886)
0.05019
1886248
(-40 from 1885)
69
(-17 from 1885)
0.04488
1885208
(-7 from 1884)
86
No change from 1884
0.06059
1884201
(+9 from 1883)
86
(+17 from 1883)
0.06251
1883210
(+11 from 1882)
69
(+9 from 1882)
0.05747
1882221
(-27 from 1881)
60
(-1 from 1881)
0.05186
1881194
(+4 from 1880)
61
(+1 from 1880)
0.06171
1880198
First SSA data recorded
60
First SSA data recorded
0.06147

American States Popularity Rankings for Helena

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

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#6452021#5462022#5542023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#4882021#4512022#3832023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#4702021#7242022#4382023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#4912021#3862022#4532023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#2212021#1222022#1012023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#4852021#4792022#3252023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#3412021#4002022#4782023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#8642021#6722022#5332023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#3812021#4382022#6202023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#4512021#2562022#2632023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#4662021#5152022#3982023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#4912021#6532022#4802023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#4152021#5732022#4872023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#6652020#7752022#5282023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#3392021#3642022#3612023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#5582021#5642022#7052023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#5972021#7042022#7102023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#2552021#3272022#3112023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#4992021#6552022#8802023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#5592021#5242022#6862023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#7682020#5872022#7852023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#7082021#5762022#7542023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#4582021#4522022#7042023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#5002021#5402022#4892023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#3671954#4211956#3602007

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#6622021#7802022#4872023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#8272021#7132022#4822023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#5922021#3102022#4222023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#6412019#4052021#4742022

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#3782015#5362016#5382019

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#2112006#2462014#1912019

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#2692015#2302016#2082019

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#5932019#5652020#7552023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#3862016#4432020#4572021

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#3512009#3602019#3472020

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1491943#2021972#1661973

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#6432019#8542020#7912022

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#4072020#6592021#5482023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#4942018#1752019#3842022

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2282017#1512021#1922023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#5351954#4891995#4872010

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#921922#1271923#1041940

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1892009#2322016#2412022

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1271977#2002008#1992011

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1271915#2131917

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#2932007#3912010

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#911917#1941957

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1891924

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#2141920

Popularity Rankings for Helena in other Countries and American Territories

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

Popularity in Brazil

Brazil flagBrazil#171930 (Decade)#171940 (Decade)#161950 (Decade)

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#212021#202022#202023

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#252020#252021#242022

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#362013#342014#282015

Popularity in Portugal

Portugal flagPortugal#782018#372019#402020

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland flagIceland#832021#382022#372023

Popularity in Croatia

Croatia flagCroatia#482020#452021#392022

Popularity in Denmark

Denmark flagDenmark#411995#491996

Popularity in Galicia, Spain

Galicia, Spain flagGalicia, Spain#452000#472008

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#482021#462022#472023

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#582020#602021#692022

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#622019#622020#732021

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#1002020#812021#892022

Popularity in Spain

Spain flagSpain#822020#822021#872022

Popularity in Latvia

Latvia flagLatvia#991920

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#1232021#1222022#1162023

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#1502020#2512021#1382023

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico flagMexico#1622020#1982021

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#1882003#1932005#1972007

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#2462020#2402021#2612022

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#2582021#3042022#2472023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#3632021#2602022#2632023

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#3872022#2632023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#2692019#3272020#3282021

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#4062021#3342022#4082023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#3792019#4292021#3732023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#3972020#4462021#3912023

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

Is Helena a Name for Boys or Girls?

Helena is commonly used for girls. It’s a timeless name that feels both modern and classic, appealing to many parents today.

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

Helena in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Helena Bonham Carter (Actress, born 1966): A versatile British actress who has starred in many acclaimed films and television series.
  • Helena Christensen (Model, born 1968): A Danish supermodel and photographer, recognized as one of the original supermodels of the 1990s.
  • Helena Rubinstein (Businesswoman, 1872–1965): A Polish-American businesswoman who founded one of the world's first global cosmetic companies.
  • Helena Paparizou (Singer, born 1982): A Greek-Swedish singer who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2005.
  • Helena Rojo (Actress, 1944-2024): A renowned Mexican actress known for her work in telenovelas and films.
  • Helena Suková (Tennis Player, born 1965): A former professional tennis player from the Czech Republic who won multiple Grand Slam titles.
  • Helena Modjeska (Actress, 1840–1909): A famous Polish-American actress known for her Shakespearean roles.
  • Helena Carroll (Actress, 1928–2013): An Irish-American actress who had a prolific career on stage and screen.
  • Helena ("A Midsummer Night's Dream," 1595 Play by William Shakespeare): A lovesick young woman who pursues Demetrius through the forest, entangled in the magical mishaps of the fairies.
  • Helena Bertinelli ("Birds of Prey," 2020 Film): Also known as Huntress, she is a vigilante seeking revenge for her family's murder.
  • "Helena" (2004 Song by My Chemical Romance): A popular emo anthem about loss and mourning.
  • Helena Ravenclaw ("Harry Potter," 1997 Novel Series by J.K. Rowling): The ghost of Ravenclaw House, also known as the Grey Lady.
  • Helena Douglas ("Dead or Alive," 1996 Video Game Series): An opera singer and skilled fighter who competes in the Dead or Alive tournaments.
  • Helena Cassadine ("General Hospital," 1963 TV Series): A long-running villainess known for her scheming and manipulations.
  • Helena City (Montana, USA): The capital city of Montana, located near the Rocky Mountains, with a rich history in gold mining.
  • Helena River (Western Australia, Australia): A river in Western Australia that flows through the city of Perth and into the Swan River.
  • Santa Helena City (Paraná, Brazil): A municipality in the state of Paraná, Brazil, featuring beautiful landscapes and agricultural activities.
  • St. Helena Island (South Carolina, USA): An island in South Carolina, home to the historic Penn Center and Gullah culture.
  • Helena National Forest (Montana, USA): A national forest in west-central Montana, offering various recreational activities and scenic views.
  • Santa Helena Bay (Western Cape, South Africa): A bay on the Atlantic coast of South Africa, known for its fishing industry.
  • Helena Valley (Victoria, Australia): A locality in Victoria, Australia, offering a blend of residential areas and natural beauty.
  • St. Helena Parish (Louisiana, USA): A parish in southeastern Louisiana, known for its rural charm and historic sites.

Similar Names to Helena

Sibling Names for Helena