Helena
The Latin form of Greek Helene. Its root is debated, though many link it to words for light or a torch; Helen of Troy carried the earliest form.
Helena in 2025
Helena was given to 841 babies in the United States in 2025, making it the 750th most popular name of the year. That is roughly one in every 3,942 babies born.
The history of Helena
Helena reached its highest point in 2025, when 841 babies were given the name, ranking 750th that year. Its best-ever ranking was 361st, in 1884.
Across the 146 years of records since 1880, 40,412 babies have been named Helena. Half of them were born before 1978, which places the name's centre of gravity with Generation X.
Helena by decade
| Decade | Babies named Helena | Best rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 775 | 361 |
| 1890s | 1,147 | 363 |
| 1900s | 1,197 | 410 |
| 1910s | 3,339 | 463 |
| 1920s | 3,307 | 616 |
| 1930s | 2,035 | 751 |
| 1940s | 2,066 | 865 |
| 1950s | 2,273 | 996 |
| 1960s | 2,342 | 1,000 |
| 1970s | 2,018 | 1,230 |
| 1980s | 2,014 | 1,241 |
| 1990s | 2,859 | 1,091 |
| 2000s | 5,013 | 959 |
| 2010s | 5,882 | 898 |
| 2020s | 4,145 | 750 |
Where Helena is heading
Helena has risen 44% over the past decade, from 583 babies in 2015 to 841 in 2025.
Names like Helena
Names that rose and fell at the same time as Helena.