Helen
Say it: HEL-en/ˈhɛlən/
GirlMythology5 letters2 syllables
#381
in Ireland (2025)
#379 with spellings combined
10
babies in 2025
#11
best rank (1966)
8,190
babies since 1964
Down 157
10-year rank change
Helen through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (girls) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 | #379 |
| 2024 | 8 | #433 |
| 2023 | 15 | #263 |
| 2022 | 10 | #384 |
| 2021 | 10 | #389 |
| 2020 | 12 | #335 |
| 2019 | 10 | #393 |
| 2018 | 18 | #255 |
| 2017 | 14 | #316 |
| 2016 | 18 | #254 |
| 2015 | 23 | #222 |
| 2014 | 17 | #291 |
| 2013 | 20 | #255 |
| 2012 | 17 | #296 |
| 2011 | 24 | #220 |
| 2010 | 23 | #236 |
| 2009 | 18 | #272 |
| 2008 | 23 | #237 |
| 2007 | 20 | #241 |
| 2006 | 26 | #178 |
| 2005 | 28 | #160 |
| 2004 | 29 | #153 |
| 2003 | 32 | #142 |
| 2002 | 21 | #182 |
| 2001 | 28 | #147 |
| 2000 | 34 | #120 |
| 1999 | 34 | #121 |
| 1998 | 35 | #107 |
| 1997 | 61 | #85 |
| 1996 | 64 | #80 |
| 1995 | 64 | #88 |
| 1994 | 60 | #96 |
| 1993 | 60 | #95 |
| 1992 | 72 | #89 |
| 1991 | 87 | #76 |
| 1990 | 92 | #75 |
| 1989 | 103 | #67 |
| 1988 | 141 | #50 |
| 1987 | 131 | #59 |
| 1986 | 155 | #52 |
| 1985 | 155 | #47 |
| 1984 | 179 | #45 |
| 1983 | 195 | #43 |
| 1982 | 228 | #41 |
| 1981 | 227 | #40 |
| 1980 | 243 | #43 |
| 1979 | 226 | #42 |
| 1978 | 227 | #41 |
| 1977 | 264 | #34 |
| 1976 | 271 | #32 |
| 1975 | 288 | #28 |
| 1974 | 278 | #28 |
| 1973 | 289 | #27 |
| 1972 | 301 | #24 |
| 1971 | 339 | #22 |
| 1970 | 374 | #14 |
| 1969 | 386 | #14 |
| 1968 | 358 | #16 |
| 1967 | 381 | #13 |
| 1966 | 424 | #11 |
| 1965 | 453 | #12 |
| 1964 | 437 | #13 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Helen mean?
Uncertain, from the Greek Helenē
Greek, from Helenē, through Latin Helena and French Hélène.
Say it right
HELen
The story of Helen
Helen comes from the ancient Greek name Helenē, which reached English through Latin Helena and French Hélène. Its deeper root is not clear. Scholars trace it back to a very old form that may be older than Greek itself, so any neat meaning should be taken with caution. Ellen and Elaine grew from the same name.
The most famous Helen is Helen of Troy. In Greek legend she was the daughter of Zeus and Leda, and her flight to Troy with Paris started the Trojan War.
In Ireland Helen was a favourite of the 1960s. Its biggest year was 1965, when 453 girls were given the name, and it reached number 11 in 1966. It has faded slowly since then, and in 2025 just 10 girls were named Helen, placing it at number 379.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Helen (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Helen (given name)
- CSO VSA60, Girls Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, First Forenames Given to Babies Registered in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Nicknames
NellNellie
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Helen | 10 | 8,190 |
In Northern Ireland
Not in the 2025 list. Best rank #132 (1999); 131 babies since 1997.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.