Helene
Helene is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Torch, shining light, or bright one.
Origin and history
Helene is a classic feminine name of Ancient Greek origin, derived from the word for torch or shining light. It is closely related to the English name Helen and French Hélène. In the United States, Helene was moderately popular in the early to mid-20th century and remains a recognizable, traditional choice today.
Popularity in the United States
33,334 babies in the United States have been named Helene since 1880. It ranks #779 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1891.
States where it is most popular
- NY (31.3 %)
- PA (15.2 %)
- IL (7.4 %)
- NJ (7.2 %)
- CA (6.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 282 |
| 1890-1900 | 807 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,367 |
| 1910-1920 | 5,363 |
| 1920-1930 | 5,519 |
| 1930-1940 | 4,404 |
| 1940-1950 | 4,933 |
| 1950-1960 | 4,739 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,896 |
| 1970-1980 | 973 |
| 1980-1990 | 565 |
| 1990-2000 | 464 |
| 2000-2010 | 472 |
| 2010-2019 | 340 |
| 2020-2029 | 210 |
Famous people named Helene
- Helene Deutsch: Psychoanalyst, Author
- Helene York: Actress, Singer
- Helene Fischer: Singer, Entertainer
Nicknames
Lena, Leni, Helena
Fun facts
- Helene is the direct German, Scandinavian, and ancient transliterated form of the Greek name Helen.
- The name reached its highest popularity in the United States during the 1910s and 1920s.