Helen
Helen: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈhɛlən/
Meaning and origin of Helen
- A female given name from Ancient Greek.
Etymology
From French Hélène, from Latin Helena, from Ancient Greek Ἑλένη (Helénē). Doublet of Elaine.
How popular is Helen?
Since 1880, 1,024,202 girls and 3,105 boys in the U.S. have been named Helen (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #2 in 1900. Its highest rank for boys was #357 in 1903. In 2025 it ranked #462 for girls, with 668 babies given the name.
Names similar to Helen
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Greek girl names
Sibling name ideas for Helen
Sister and brother names that share Helen's Greek roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Helen FAQ
What does the name Helen mean?
A female given name from Ancient Greek. From French Hélène, from Latin Helena, from Ancient Greek Ἑλένη (Helénē). Doublet of Elaine.
What is the origin of the name Helen?
Helen is listed as a name of Greek origin.
How popular is the name Helen?
Since 1880, 1,024,202 girls and 3,105 boys in the U.S. have been named Helen (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #2 in 1900. Its highest rank for boys was #357 in 1903. In 2025 it ranked #462 for girls, with 668 babies given the name.
Is Helen a boy or girl name?
Helen is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 1,024,202 girls and 3,105 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.