Helmer
Every Helmer since 1884 — 835 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Helmer
Helmer 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 1884, 835 American babies have been named Helmer. Its peak came in 1917, when 37 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
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 Helmer stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Helmer year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | 7 | #10,093 |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | 6 | #11,234 |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | 6 | #11,359 |
| 2010 | 5 | #12,955 |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | 9 | #8,545 |
| 2007 | 9 | #8,447 |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | 10 | #7,319 |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | 7 | #9,017 |
| 2002 | 8 | #7,921 |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | 5 | #11,021 |
| 1995 | 6 | #8,181 |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | 5 | #4,093 |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | 6 | #3,138 |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | 10 | #2,447 |
| 1930 | 11 | #2,515 |
| 1925 | 18 | #1,903 |
| 1920 | 29 | #1,360 |
| 1915 | 22 | #1,481 |
| 1910 | 7 | #1,364 |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | 10 | #872 |
| 1895 | 10 | #719 |
| 1890 | 9 | #698 |
| 1885 | 12 | #562 |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Helmer
- Helmer Hanssen Explorer · 1870–1956
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Helmer in 2025?
Helmer 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 Helmer?
835 babies have been named Helmer in the United States since 1884, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Helmer most popular?
Helmer peaked in 1917, when 37 newborns received the name.
Is Helmer a boy or girl name?
Helmer is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Helmer rising or falling?
Helmer is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Helmer?
Well-known people named Helmer include Helmer Hanssen (explorer).