Girl · 502nd of 30,306
Helena
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
39,561
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2024
Peak Popularity Year
754
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Helena stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Helena originates from Greek, meaning light or torch. It evolved through various languages and forms, including Helene in Greek and Helen in Latin. The name is associated with traits of beauty and illumination, and it does not have a direct biblical relevance. Its popularity surged in the early Christian era, thanks to historical figures like Saint Helena.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/həˈleɪ.nə/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Helena is derived from the Greek name 'Helene', which is associated with the word 'helene' meaning 'torch' or 'light'.
Meaning
light, torch
Language Evolution
Helene (Greek), Helen (Latin), Elena (Italian, Spanish), Ellen (English)
Historical Usage
The name Helena gained popularity in the early Christian period, particularly due to Saint Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, who is credited with finding the True Cross.
Variants & Derivatives
Helen, Elena, Ellen, Helene
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Helena is perceived as a classic and elegant name, often associated with beauty and light.
Famous People
Saint Helena, Helena Bonham Carter, Helena Christensen, Helena Rubinstein
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Moderately Popular name with 754 peak births in 2024
Geographic Spread
Popular across 49 US states, with strongest presence in Massachusetts
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 3 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 7 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 319th of 9107 | 7,209 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 493rd of 9204 | 3,739 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 612th of 12526 | 4,437 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 725th of 19264 | 3,298 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 840th of 27321 | 3,591 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 600th of 35406 | 7,645 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 502nd of 30306 | 7,608 |