Helen Name Meaning

The name Helen means “bright, shining light” in Greek. It is a beautiful name that signifies radiance, beauty, and intelligence. It is also associated with the goddess of beauty and love, Aphrodite, as Helen was considered the most beautiful woman in the world.

Origins of the Name Helen

The name Helen is of Greek origin and is derived from the Greek word “helene,” meaning “bright, shining light.” In Greek mythology, Helen was the daughter of Zeus and Leda and the wife of King Menelaus of Sparta. She was considered the most beautiful woman in the world and was the cause of the Trojan War, as her beauty was the reason Paris, prince of Troy, kidnapped her.

But Helen’s story doesn’t end there. In fact, her tale has been retold and reimagined in countless works of literature and art throughout history. From Homer’s “Iliad” to Shakespeare’s “Troilus and Cressida,” Helen has been a constant figure in Western culture.

The name Helen is of Greek origin, but it has also been used in several other languages over time, such as English, German, Scandinavian, and Spanish. The name Helen has a classic and sophisticated feel to it, and has been used for centuries.

Popularity of the Name Helen

Throughout the years, the name Helen has been a popular choice for parents. In fact, it was one of the top 100 names for girls born in the United States between 1880 and 1960. The name Helen saw a resurgence in popularity in the 2000s and 2010s, and it is still a popular choice for parents today.

Final Thoughts on the Name Helen

In conclusion, the name Helen has a rich history, timeless appeal, and a beautiful meaning. From Greek mythology to popular culture, Helen has been a constant presence. So, if you’re looking for a sophisticated and classic name for your little girl, Helen may just be the perfect choice. With its bright and shining meaning, it’s sure to bring light and beauty to your child’s life.

Infographic of Helen name meaning, which is “She shines in beauty,” from the Greek helene, something that shines, as a torch.
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Helen Name Popularity

How popular is the name Helen? Here’s everything we know.

Year Rank # Births % Births
1910 2 10,479 2.9763%
1911 2 11,801 3.1691%
1912 2 16,133 3.1991%
1913 2 18,888 3.3314%
1914 2 23,221 3.332%
1915 2 30,866 3.3973%
1916 2 32,662 3.3812%
1917 2 34,251 3.4236%
1918 2 36,148 3.3681%
1919 2 33,706 3.2189%
1920 3 35,097 3.1566%
1921 3 34,821 3.0409%
1922 3 32,507 2.9178%
1923 3 31,490 2.8115%
1924 3 31,187 2.6856%
1925 4 29,170 2.5808%
1926 4 26,885 2.4444%
1927 4 25,319 2.2873%
1928 4 22,934 2.1434%
1929 4 20,984 2.0259%
1930 4 19,914 1.9064%
1931 6 17,660 1.7893%
1932 8 16,374 1.6574%
1933 8 14,643 1.5717%
1934 9 14,100 1.4586%
1935 10 12,781 1.3152%
1936 11 12,230 1.2696%
1937 12 11,454 1.1624%
1938 13 10,831 1.058%
1939 16 10,418 1.0242%
1940 18 10,199 0.9595%
1941 24 9,889 0.8786%
1942 26 10,015 0.7931%
1943 28 9,796 0.7504%
1944 31 8,694 0.7015%
1945 31 8,301 0.6806%
1946 36 8,851 0.5998%
1947 38 8,979 0.5379%
1948 40 8,304 0.5202%
1949 46 7,706 0.479%
1950 50 7,059 0.4384%
1951 54 6,949 0.4099%
1952 63 6,469 0.3706%
1953 65 6,118 0.3457%
1954 72 5,944 0.3252%
1955 78 5,594 0.3041%
1956 90 5,273 0.2792%
1957 95 5,014 0.2606%
1958 100 4,764 0.2521%
1959 108 4,372 0.2301%
1960 117 4,069 0.2148%
1961 119 3,856 0.2042%
1962 128 3,582 0.1951%
1963 124 3,337 0.1859%
1964 132 3,095 0.1758%
1965 137 2,792 0.1707%
1966 144 2,438 0.1561%
1967 158 2,144 0.1413%
1968 173 1,859 0.1238%
1969 175 1,837 0.1192%
1970 189 1,698 0.1067%
1971 208 1,416 0.0942%
1972 224 1,223 0.0898%
1973 225 1,103 0.0851%
1974 225 1,114 0.0857%
1975 228 1,041 0.081%
1976 247 922 0.0715%
1977 249 966 0.0717%
1978 257 891 0.0663%
1979 279 844 0.0599%
1980 274 887 0.0607%
1981 276 854 0.0581%
1982 278 845 0.0565%
1983 278 809 0.0548%
1984 282 821 0.0552%
1985 301 779 0.0513%
1986 315 725 0.048%
1987 298 776 0.0509%
1988 324 728 0.0467%
1989 303 831 0.0515%
1990 321 827 0.0499%
1991 342 730 0.0448%
1992 327 796 0.0499%
1993 305 839 0.0538%
1994 319 815 0.0531%
1995 328 792 0.0526%
1996 314 862 0.0576%
1997 347 770 0.0521%
1998 346 805 0.0538%
1999 357 797 0.0532%
2000 346 859 0.0562%
2001 345 851 0.0565%
2002 341 844 0.0563%
2003 391 745 0.049%
2004 363 839 0.055%
2005 331 934 0.0611%
2006 349 914 0.0584%
2007 345 917 0.0581%
2008 365 857 0.0554%
2009 383 797 0.0533%
2010 433 667 0.0463%
2011 426 689 0.0484%
2012 399 734 0.0515%
2013 410 695 0.0488%
2014 395 764 0.0524%
2015 413 722 0.0496%
2016 395 781 0.0542%
2017 403 726 0.052%
2018 396 710 0.0517%
2019 403 706 0.0522%
2020 430 661 0.0519%
2021 448 604 0.0494%
2022 424 711 0.0539%

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Data via SSA.gov.

Names Like Helen

If you like Helen, you’ll love these other names like Helen.

What names are diminutives of Helen?

A diminutive is a name that’s like Helen sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Helen, but shorter.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Lena

Woman from Magdala

Hebrew

Nell

Horn; sun ray, shining light

Latin

Nelly

A diminutive form of Helen.

Greek

What names are variants of Helen?

Mix it up with these names that are a variation of the name Helen.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Aileen

“She shines in beauty;” an Irish form of Helen.

Ancient

Ailene

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Aleanor

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Alene

Precious; awakening; light; sun ray, shining light

Polynesian

Aline

A variant form of Adeline.

Modern

Eileen

“The brightly shining one,” from the Greek lielene, something shining, as a torch.

Gaelic

Eilidh

Scottish

Elaina

Shining light

Greek

Elaine

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Elana

Tree

Hebrew

Elayne

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Eleanor

Of unknown meaning

English

Eleanore

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Elena

Shining light

Greek

Eleni

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Elenora

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Elenore

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Eleonora

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Elianora

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Elinor

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Ella

Other goddess

Hebrew

Elladine

Sun ray, shining light; other, foreign

Greek

Elle

She

French

Elleanora

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Ellee

Other, foreign; sun ray, shining light

Greek

Ellen

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Ellenora

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Ellette

Footloose; other, foreign; sun ray, shining light

Greek

Ellie

Shortened form of El- names

English

Ellin

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Elliner

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Ellinor

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Elly

Sun ray, shining light; other, foreign

Greek

Ellyn

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Elnora

Compassion

Greek

Galina

Calm

Greek

Halina

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Helaina

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Helaine

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Helana

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Heleanor

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Heleena

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Helena

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Helenann

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Helene

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Helenna

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Helenore

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Helia

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Hella

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Hellen

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Hellena

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Hellene

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Hellenor

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Hellia

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Ileana

God has answered; sun ray, shining light; tree; Trojan

Hebrew

Ilene

Modern

Ilona

Light

Hungarian

Jelena

Russian

Lana

Little rock

English

Leanora

Sun ray, shining light; compassion; light

Greek

Lena

Woman from Magdala

Hebrew

Lenore

Light

Greek

Leonara

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Leonora

Compassion; light

Greek

Leonore

Sun ray, shining light; compassion; light

Greek

Leora

Compassion; light

Greek

Lienor

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Lina

Palm tree

Latin

Nelda

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Nell

Horn; sun ray, shining light

Latin

Nellette

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Nelliana

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Nellie

Horn; sun ray, shining light

Latin

Nelly

A diminutive form of Helen.

Greek

Nonnie

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Nora

Honorable one

Latin

Yelena

Sun ray, shining light

Russian

What names sound like Helen?

If you like how Helen sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Helen.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Hollyann

The holly tree

English

What names are similar to Helen?

Find a name that’s like Helen, but just a little bit different.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Aibhlin

Irish

Alana

Little rock

English

Alena

Tower

Russian

Alina

Noble one

German

Elen

Light

Greek

Leanna

Latin

Olena

Torch

Russian

Yalena

Russian

Lists With Helen

Find inspiration in these baby girl name lists featuring the name Helen.

Siblings of Helen

Mamas with kids named Helen also have kids with these names.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Adeline

Noble one

German

7 Comments

  1. Can I use this name for my son as “Helen George” Please suggest and I am from India

    Reply

  2. We love old fashioned names. Helen was my Great Grandma’s name. She was a super strong and loving woman, blinded in her 30’s, who raised 5 children on a farm. I loved her dearly. It was also my Grandmother’s legal first name that she thought was Margaret until later in life when she got a copy of her birth certificate and found it was actually. Helen! My husband’s maternal Grandma also had Helen as a middle name. So you could call it a family name! Plus it sounds old fashioned southern to me which I love. Not all her classmates will have her name! ?

    Reply

  3. A very good friend of mine was named Helen who was like family to me passed away in 2013. I always knew if I ever had another girl I would name her after her.

    Reply

    • Yes! Please do x

      Reply

  4. Named after her great grandmother

    Reply

  5. Helen after my amazing grandmother. Hope after successful IVF process.

    Reply

  6. We chose to name our daughter Helen because it was a family name in both sides, and family names never go out of style.

    Reply

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