Helena Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Helena is predominantly used for girls. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Helena?
Helena is spelled H-E-L-E-N-A. The name has 6 letters.
Helena at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for girls
- Meaning
- Helena is generally understood to mean “torch” or “bright light.”
- Origin
- Helena is commonly associated with ancient Greek origins and is linked to the name Helen.
- Pronunciation
- heh-LEE-nah · 3 syllables
Helena Popularity in 2025
Rank#363
Recorded Births841
- Girls usage rose 51 places to #363 and recorded 87 more births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Helena Mean?
Helena is generally understood to mean “torch” or “bright light.”
Origin: Helena is commonly associated with ancient Greek origins and is linked to the name Helen.
How Do You Pronounce Helena?
Pronunciationheh-LEE-nah
Syllables3
What Is the History of the Name Helena?
- History
- The name Helena is found in classical literature and historical records, associated with figures in Greek mythology and early Christian saints.
Helena Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2002 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | 841 | #363 |
| 2024 | Girls | 754 | #414 |
| 2023 | Girls | 678 | #456 |
| 2022 | Girls | 675 | #471 |
| 2021 | Girls | 604 | #512 |
| 2020 | Girls | 593 | #512 |
| 2019 | Girls | 658 | #474 |
| 2018 | Girls | 689 | #458 |
| 2017 | Girls | 610 | #515 |
| 2016 | Girls | 602 | #517 |
| 2015 | Girls | 583 | #534 |
| 2014 | Girls | 627 | #498 |
| 2013 | Girls | 543 | #547 |
| 2012 | Girls | 529 | #558 |
| 2011 | Girls | 491 | #587 |
| 2010 | Girls | 550 | #534 |
| 2009 | Girls | 533 | #573 |
| 2008 | Girls | 503 | #609 |
| 2007 | Girls | 584 | #536 |
| 2006 | Girls | 595 | #511 |
| 2005 | Girls | 530 | #542 |
| 2004 | Girls | 511 | #561 |
| 2003 | Girls | 541 | #521 |
| 2002 | Girls | 432 | #599 |
When Was Helena Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
2025 · Girls
841 recorded births
National rank #363
2024 · Girls
754 recorded births
National rank #414
2018 · Girls
689 recorded births
National rank #458
2023 · Girls
678 recorded births
National rank #456
Where Helena Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Girls
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| MA | #87 | 63 |
| ME | #176 | 6 |
| FL | #211 | 89 |
| NJ | #229 | 36 |
| VA | #272 | 30 |
| OR | #273 | 13 |
| CT | #298 | 10 |
| WV | #308 | 5 |