Search names
Helen
OriginGreek
Meaning"shining light, torch"
About Helen
The classic Helen is typically used for girls, connected as it is to Helen of Troy, often described as the most beautiful woman in Greece and the Ancient World. However, it has in fact featured in the US Top 1000 in the early 20th century, peaking in 1927, when it was given to more than 90 boys. Given to more than 700 girls in a recent year, it last appeared in the stats for boys back in 2004, when it was given to 5.
As of October 2026, Helen ranked #12003 in US births in 2004 SSA, peaked at #357 in 1903.
Editor's take: The name Helen is a boy's name of Greek origin meaning "shining light, torch".
Popularity & trends
US popularity — history
US rank, lower is more popular · SSA data 2014–2025
Actual · SSA
20142025
18802025
Data table
| Year | US rank | Births | Per million |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | — | 0 | 0 |
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