Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Helena
GirlGreek, Latin· “uncertain; possibly torch or light”
- Meaning
- uncertain; possibly torch or light (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Greek, Latin
- Pronunciation
- HEH-luh-nuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #363
- US babies 2025
- 841
- Best rank
- #194 (1881)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Helena
Helena is often said to mean “uncertain; possibly torch or light”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Greek and Latin roots.
Helena is the Latin form of the Greek Helene, the name of Helen of Troy, whose beauty set off the Trojan War in Greek myth. The meaning of Helene is uncertain; it is often linked to words for "torch" or to selene, "moon", but none of these connections is proven. Saint Helena, mother of the emperor Constantine, was credited with finding relics of the True Cross, which made the name common across Christian Europe. Shakespeare gave it to heroines in A Midsummer Night's Dream and All's Well That Ends Well. It is pronounced HEH-luh-nuh or huh-LAY-nuh, and Lena is a common nickname.
Popularity over time
Helena has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 145 different years. Its best national rank was #194 in 1881, and the most babies received it in 2025, when 841 were named Helena. In 2025, 841 babies were named Helena, and it ranked #363 nationally. That is 44% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #334 in 1920, #563 in 1950, #761 in 1980, #662 in 2000, #534 in 2010, and #363 in 2025. Of the 40,412 US girls named Helena since records began, 15% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 5,013 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Matilda, Adhara, Astrid, Elora, and Maryam.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Helena ranked highest in Massachusetts, Maine, and Florida.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #88 | 63 |
| Maine | #189 | 6 |
| Florida | #211 | 89 |
| New Jersey | #232 | 36 |
| Virginia | #277 | 30 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Helena is usually pronounced HEH-luh-nuh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with H and ends in “-na”.
Middle names for Helena
A few middle names that flow with Helena: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Helena
Similar names
Elena Girl
eh-LAY-nuh
“form of Helen; meaning uncertain” · Greek
#42
Athena Girl
uh-THEE-nuh
Greek
#109
Selena Girl
suh-LEE-nuh
“moon” · Greek
#268
Sabrina Girl
suh-BREE-nuh
“from the Latin name of the River Severn” · Latin
#321
Christina Girl
krihs-TEE-nuh
“follower of Christ” · Latin
#770
Francesca Girl
fran-CHEHS-kuh
“French, from France” · Italian
#307
Marina Girl
muh-REE-nuh
“of the sea” · Latin
#602
Leona Girl
lee-OH-nuh
“lion” · Latin
#429
Ariadna Girl
ah-ree-AHD-nah
“most holy (form of Ariadne)” · Spanish
#1,417
Sabina Girl
suh-BEE-nuh
“Sabine woman” · Latin
#2,579
Ariana Girl
ar-ee-AH-nuh
“most holy; form of Ariadne” · Italian
#128
Arianna Girl
ar-ee-AH-nuh
“most holy” · Italian
#234
Lists that include Helena
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Helena mean?
Helena is often said to mean “uncertain; possibly torch or light”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Greek and Latin roots.
What is the origin of the name Helena?
Helena has Greek and Latin roots. Helena is the Latin form of the Greek Helene, the name of Helen of Troy, whose beauty set off the Trojan War in Greek myth.
Is Helena a popular name?
Yes. Helena ranked #363 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Helena a boy or girl name?
Helena is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Helena?
Helena is usually pronounced HEH-luh-nuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings