Helena
A Latinate form of Helen, borrowed from Latin Helena.
Every Helena since 1880 — 40,412 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Helena
Helena is moderately common for girls in the United States, ranked #363 in 2025 with 841 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 40,412 American babies have been named Helena. Its peak came in 2025, when 841 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Helena stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Helena year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 841 | #363 |
| 2024 | 754 | #414 |
| 2023 | 678 | #456 |
| 2022 | 675 | #471 |
| 2021 | 604 | #513 |
| 2020 | 593 | #512 |
| 2019 | 658 | #475 |
| 2018 | 689 | #458 |
| 2017 | 610 | #515 |
| 2016 | 602 | #517 |
| 2015 | 583 | #535 |
| 2014 | 627 | #498 |
| 2013 | 543 | #548 |
| 2012 | 529 | #558 |
| 2011 | 491 | #588 |
| 2010 | 550 | #534 |
| 2009 | 533 | #573 |
| 2008 | 503 | #609 |
| 2007 | 584 | #536 |
| 2006 | 595 | #511 |
| 2005 | 530 | #542 |
| 2004 | 511 | #561 |
| 2003 | 541 | #521 |
| 2002 | 432 | #599 |
| 2001 | 417 | #602 |
| 2000 | 367 | #662 |
| 1995 | 342 | #637 |
| 1990 | 200 | #946 |
| 1985 | 187 | #859 |
| 1980 | 218 | #761 |
| 1975 | 205 | #721 |
| 1970 | 201 | #737 |
| 1965 | 260 | #594 |
| 1960 | 215 | #695 |
| 1955 | 208 | #643 |
| 1950 | 219 | #563 |
| 1945 | 178 | #551 |
| 1940 | 200 | #478 |
| 1935 | 190 | #462 |
| 1930 | 242 | #430 |
| 1925 | 351 | #363 |
| 1920 | 383 | #334 |
| 1915 | 405 | #289 |
| 1910 | 175 | #293 |
| 1905 | 106 | #326 |
| 1900 | 112 | #319 |
| 1895 | 107 | #273 |
| 1890 | 100 | #248 |
| 1885 | 86 | #210 |
| 1880 | 60 | #198 |
Famous people named Helena
- Helena Companion · 250–330
- Helena Blavatsky Occultist · 1831–1891
- Helena Dragaš Companion · 1372–1450
- Helena Bonham Carter Actor · b. 1966
- Helena Rubinstein Businessperson · 1872–1965
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Helena mean?
A Latinate form of Helen, borrowed from Latin Helena.
How popular is the name Helena in 2025?
Helena ranked #363 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 841 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Helena?
40,412 babies have been named Helena in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Helena most popular?
Helena peaked in 2025, when 841 newborns received the name.
Is Helena a boy or girl name?
Helena is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Helena rising or falling?
Helena is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Helena?
Well-known people named Helena include Helena (companion), Helena Blavatsky (occultist), Helena Dragaš (companion).