HELEN  

Gender: F
Origin: Greek
Meaning: "bright, shining one"

Popularity in 2008: #371

A name that has connoted beauty since ancient times (the mythological "face that launched a thousand ships"), Helen has moved in and out of favor over the centuries, often alternating with Ellen. Now, after being unfashionable for decades, we see signs of a comeback (it's the kind of serious, unadorned classic many parents are returning to).

People who like Helen also like:

Helen is being discussed in our message boards:

• Absurdly Long Baby Name Game=)!!!!!!
• little Lilia begs for brother's name, please:)!
• How Important is following a sibset?
• Popular names you just don't 'get'.
• A sister for Kwan and Steve--Gilmore Girls

Read Nameberry blog posts about Helen:

• THE LOST NAMES OF 1880
• OLD LADY NAMES: Ready for the Next Wave?
• VINTAGE NAMES: 100-Year-Old Names That Sound New Again
• PRINCE NAMES
• TAKING BABY NAMES SERIOUSLY