Helen

Meaning of Helen

Helen means "light" or "bright one."

Helen has Greek roots — browse every Greek baby name in our catalog.

Popularity of Helen

Helen has cooled off, slipping to #462 in 2025, down from a peak of #333 in 2005.

Notable people named Helen

• Helen Keller
  Author and disability rights advocate
• Helen Mirren
  Award-winning British actress
• Helena Bonham Carter
  English actress
• Helen Hunt
  American actress and director
• Helen Reddy
  Australian singer and activist

More Greek names

Questions about the name Helen

What does the name Helen mean?

Helen means helen means "light" or "bright one.", and it comes from Greek origins.

Is Helen a boy's or a girl's name?

Helen is most commonly used as a girl's name in the United States.

How popular is the name Helen?

In 2025, Helen ranked #462 for girls, down from #424 the year before.

When was Helen most popular?

Helen peaked at #333 in 2005.