Helen
Peaked at #2 nationally in 1900, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Helen has been recorded >99% of the time for girls and <1% of the time for boys.
Meaning & origin
Helen comes from the Greek Helene, whose exact meaning is debated but is often linked to a root associated with "light" or "torch." The name owes its lasting fame to Helen of Troy, the mythological figure whose beauty was said to have sparked the Trojan War, and it later spread through Europe via Saint Helena, mother of the Roman emperor Constantine.
Notable people & culture
Helen Keller became one of the most celebrated figures of the 20th century as an author and disability rights advocate after overcoming deafblindness. Actresses Helen Mirren and Helen Hunt have each won Academy Awards, and singer Helen Reddy is remembered for her 1972 feminist anthem "I Am Woman." The name was especially common among American girls born in the early 1900s.
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Helen — Girls (United States)
StablePeak rank
#2
in 1900
Current rank
#424
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Stable
Tracked since 1880, Helen reached its peak popularity for girls in 1900, ranking #2 nationally with 6,342 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #403 (2014) to #424 (2024) — a 5% drop.
As of 2024, Helen ranks #424 nationally for girls, with 726 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #424 | 726 |
| 2023 | #395 | 776 |
| 2022 | #422 | 749 |
| 2021 | #444 | 704 |
| 2020 | #426 | 721 |
| 2019 | #428 | 743 |
| 2018 | #415 | 745 |
| 2017 | #418 | 763 |
Helen — Boys (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#357
in 1903
Last ranked
#12003
in 2004
Years tracked
104
1881–2004
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1881, Helen reached its peak popularity for boys in 1903, ranking #357 nationally with 29 babies given the name that year.
Helen hasn't appeared among the national top ranks for boys since 2004, when it stood at #12003.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | #12,003 | 5 |
| 1994 | #9,350 | 5 |
| 1993 | #9,258 | 5 |
| 1991 | #8,689 | 5 |
| 1990 | #6,702 | 7 |
| 1989 | #4,960 | 10 |
| 1988 | #6,022 | 7 |
| 1986 | #6,234 | 6 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — girls' names only.
Common Questions
When was Helen most popular?
Helen was most popular in 1900, when it ranked #2 nationally for girls — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Helen becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently stable; for boys, it's currently falling, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Helen?
At least 1,026,632 babies have been recorded with the name Helen in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Helen? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.