Hellen

Meaning: Possibly torch
Origin: East African usage — Origin uncertain; used as a female name in Ethiopia, Sudan, and Uganda

Girl's name · #1800 in the US (2025) · Vintage

Popularity over time

Hellen belongs to an older America first — it reached #510 back in 1924 — yet it still appears in today's records at #1800. About 8,400 girls have carried it since 1883.

Across the states

See where Hellen is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 8 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Hellen ranks in other countries and regions.

#282 in Ecuador (2025).

Famous Hellens

Hellen Obiri — Kenyan middle-distance runner
Hellen Mubanga — Zambian association football player
Hellen Kimaiyo — Kenyan runner; athletics competitor
Hellen Chanda — Zambian football player
Hellen Jemaiyo Kimutai — Kenyan marathon runner

In stories & tradition

Hellen Mutungi — Beneath The Lies - The Series (TV series)

What Hellens become

Among 86 notable people named Hellen:

Sports figures appear 1.51× more often than among typical names — e.g. Hellen Obiri, Kenyan middle-distance runner.

Spellings & nicknames

Hellen is the less common spelling of Helen — about 14% of babies given the name are written this way; Helen itself ranked #462 in 2025.

Similar names: Ellen · Wynona · Elif · Fatoumata · Aminata · Koda

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

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