Helen Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, Girl Names Like Helen

Helen Name Origin: Greek
Pronunciation: he-len
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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.

Helen Name Popularity

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

Year	Rank	# Births	% Births
1910	—	10,479	2.9763%
1911	—	11,801	3.1691%
1912	—	16,133	3.1991%
1913	—	18,888	3.3314%
1914	—	23,221	3.332%
1915	—	30,866	3.3973%
1916	—	32,662	3.3812%
1917	—	34,251	3.4236%
1918	—	36,148	3.3681%
1919	—	33,706	3.2189%
1920	—	35,097	3.1566%
1921	—	34,821	3.0409%
1922	—	32,507	2.9178%
1923	—	31,490	2.8115%
1924	—	31,187	2.6856%
1925	—	29,170	2.5808%
1926	—	26,885	2.4444%
1927	—	25,319	2.2873%
1928	—	22,934	2.1434%
1929	—	20,984	2.0259%
1930	—	19,914	1.9064%
1931	—	17,660	1.7893%
1932	—	16,374	1.6574%
1933	—	14,643	1.5717%
1934	—	14,100	1.4586%
1935	—	12,781	1.3152%
1936	—	12,230	1.2696%
1937	—	11,454	1.1624%
1938	—	10,831	1.058%
1939	—	10,418	1.0242%
1940	—	10,199	0.9595%
1941	—	9,889	0.8786%
1942	—	10,015	0.7931%
1943	—	9,796	0.7504%
1944	—	8,694	0.7015%
1945	—	8,301	0.6806%
1946	—	8,851	0.5998%
1947	—	8,979	0.5379%
1948	—	8,304	0.5202%
1949	—	7,706	0.479%
1950	—	7,059	0.4384%
1951	—	6,949	0.4099%
1952	—	6,469	0.3706%
1953	—	6,118	0.3457%
1954	—	5,944	0.3252%
1955	—	5,594	0.3041%
1956	—	5,273	0.2792%
1957	—	5,014	0.2606%
1958	—	4,764	0.2521%
1959	—	4,372	0.2301%
1960	—	4,069	0.2148%
1961	—	3,856	0.2042%
1962	—	3,582	0.1951%
1963	—	3,337	0.1859%
1964	—	3,095	0.1758%
1965	—	2,792	0.1707%
1966	—	2,438	0.1561%
1967	—	2,144	0.1413%
1968	—	1,859	0.1238%
1969	—	1,837	0.1192%
1970	—	1,698	0.1067%
1971	—	1,416	0.0942%
1972	—	1,223	0.0898%
1973	—	1,103	0.0851%
1974	—	1,114	0.0857%
1975	—	1,041	0.081%
1976	—	922	0.0715%
1977	—	966	0.0717%
1978	—	891	0.0663%
1979	—	844	0.0599%
1980	—	887	0.0607%
1981	—	854	0.0581%
1982	—	845	0.0565%
1983	—	809	0.0548%
1984	—	821	0.0552%
1985	—	779	0.0513%
1986	—	725	0.048%
1987	—	776	0.0509%
1988	—	728	0.0467%
1989	—	831	0.0515%
1990	—	827	0.0499%
1991	—	730	0.0448%
1992	—	796	0.0499%
1993	—	839	0.0538%
1994	—	815	0.0531%
1995	—	792	0.0526%
1996	—	862	0.0576%
1997	—	770	0.0521%
1998	—	805	0.0538%
1999	—	797	0.0532%
2000	—	859	0.0562%
2001	—	851	0.0565%
2002	—	844	0.0563%
2003	—	745	0.049%
2004	—	839	0.055%
2005	—	934	0.0611%
2006	—	914	0.0584%
2007	—	917	0.0581%
2008	—	857	0.0554%
2009	—	797	0.0533%
2010	—	667	0.0463%
2011	—	689	0.0484%
2012	—	734	0.0515%
2013	—	695	0.0488%
2014	—	764	0.0524%
2015	—	722	0.0496%
2016	—	781	0.0542%
2017	—	726	0.052%
2018	—	710	0.0517%
2019	—	706	0.0522%
2020	—	661	0.0519%
2021	—	604	0.0494%
2022	—	711	0.0539%
2023	—	733	0.0566%

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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
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
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
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

Share Your Thoughts

9 Comments

helen robinson Mar 2 at 11:38 am

dont where my mom and dad want to name helen enola but i love the is a greek name it make see bringer side of thing in life i was name after my grandmother with middle name i happy to know this now

Reply
Naveen Apr 19 at 6:59 am

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

Reply
- Olivia Nov 10 at 11:21 pm
  
  I don’t think so
  
  Reply
Amy Aug 2 at 8:10 am

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
Olga Dec 25 at 7:08 pm

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
- Helen Ryan Oct 29 at 10:13 pm
  
  Yes! Please do x
  
  Reply
Amy Oct 30 at 9:06 am

Named after her great grandmother

Reply
Katarzyna Apr 9 at 9:31 am

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

Reply
Shea Jun 28 at 7:29 am

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

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