Helga
From Old Norse Helga (“holy”), a pre-Christian term, feminine form of Helgi.
Every Helga since 1882 — 2,209 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Helga
Helga is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1882, 2,209 American babies have been named Helga. Its peak came in 1961, when 54 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1960s.
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 Helga stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Helga year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | 5 | #16,004 |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | 5 | #13,766 |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | 7 | #8,453 |
| 1975 | 15 | #4,219 |
| 1970 | 18 | #3,478 |
| 1965 | 26 | #2,365 |
| 1960 | 40 | #1,797 |
| 1955 | 30 | #1,956 |
| 1950 | 16 | #2,595 |
| 1945 | 15 | #2,274 |
| 1940 | 28 | #1,449 |
| 1935 | 17 | #1,957 |
| 1930 | 18 | #1,974 |
| 1925 | 19 | #2,068 |
| 1920 | 22 | #1,842 |
| 1915 | 40 | #1,063 |
| 1910 | 20 | #985 |
| 1905 | 21 | #809 |
| 1900 | 18 | #896 |
| 1895 | 19 | #732 |
| 1890 | 17 | #650 |
| 1885 | 6 | #974 |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Helga
- Helga Haase Skater · 1934–1989
- Helga Seidler Athlete · b. 1949
- Helga Pedersen Politician · b. 1973
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Helga mean?
From Old Norse Helga (“holy”), a pre-Christian term, feminine form of Helgi.
How popular is the name Helga in 2025?
Helga did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Helga?
2,209 babies have been named Helga in the United States since 1882, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Helga most popular?
Helga peaked in 1961, when 54 newborns received the name.
Is Helga a boy or girl name?
Helga is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Helga rising or falling?
Helga has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Helga?
Well-known people named Helga include Helga Haase (skater), Helga Seidler (athlete), Helga Pedersen (politician).