Helen

Meaning: To shine, burn, or glow
Origin: Greek — From Proto-Indo-European root swel-

Nicknames: Nellie

Girl's name · #462 in the US (2025) · Vintage

Popularity over time

Helen was #2 back in 1900, spent 37 years inside the national top 5, and stands at #462 today. About 1.0 million girls have carried it since 1880.

Across the states

See where Helen is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 36 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Helen ranks in other countries and regions.

#102 in Ecuador (2025) · #396 in Ireland (2025) · #420 in Austria (2025) · #438 in Norway (2025) · #478 in Sweden (2025) · #520 in Switzerland (2025) · #538 in Mexico (2024) · #712 in England & Wales (2025) · #887 in Belgium (2025) · #892 in Scotland (2025) · #2,671 in France (2025) · #830 in Canada (2024).

Famous Helens

Helen Keller — American deafblind author, political activist, lecturer, scholar (1880–1968)
Helen Mirren — English actress (born 1945)
Helen Clark — Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1999 to 2008
Helen Hunt — American actress
Helen Hayes — American actress (1900–1993)

In stories & tradition

Helen of Troy — Iliad (book)
Helen (Elastigirl) — The Incredibles (video game)
Helen Lovejoy — The Simpsons (TV series)

What Helens become

Among 3,353 notable people named Helen:

Artists & writers appear 1.58× more often than among typical names — e.g. Helen Keller, American deafblind author, political activist, lecturer, scholar (1880–1968).

Spellings & nicknames

About 500 girls a year are given Nellie as their full name.

Similar names: Ellen · Martha · Elle · Kate · Dorothy · Irene

Browse more girl names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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