The nameHelene
Helene is the French form of Helen. It was a top 250 American name around 1916.
- Girl's name
- French
- Feast day
Meaning
Helene comes from the Greek Helene, often linked to helios, "sun", or to a word for "torch".
Origin
French, from Greek.
History
In the United States Helene reached 227th place in 1916. In England and Wales it was 1168th in 1996, the first year of the series.
Helene in other languages
Hélène is the French form of Helen. It is Helena in German, Portuguese and Polish, Elena in Italian, Spanish, Romanian and Russian, and Ilona in Hungarian. Ellen, Elaine and Eleanor are related English forms.
Did you know?
- The pianist Hélène Grimaud co-founded a wolf conservation centre in New York State.
- Hélène Carrère d'Encausse became in 1999 the first woman to lead the Académie française as its permanent secretary.
Famous people named Helene
- Hélène Grimaud, pianist
Popularity of the name Helene
Helene in the United States
Helene was most popular in the United States in the 1920s, with 5,519 births over the decade, 17% of all recorded babies named Helene. Its rise began around 1894, and it peaked in 1918. Half of all babies named Helene in the United States were born before 1937, so it is mostly a great-grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 34 births a year.
Helene in France
Helene was most popular in France in the 1920s, with 36,930 births over the decade, 13% of all recorded babies named Helene. Half of all babies named Helene in France were born before 1946, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 145 births a year on average, against 118 in the five years before.
Helene in Belgium
Helene in Austria
Helene in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Helene
Names from the same generation as Helene, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Helene? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Helene with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Helene side by side with the name of your choice.
Helene in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Helene mean?
Helene comes from the Greek Helene, often linked to helios, "sun", or to a word for "torch".
What is the origin of the name Helene?
French, from Greek.
Is Helene a girl's or a boy's name?
Helene is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Helene?
In 2024, Helene was the 3789th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 40 births.
What are the variants of the name Helene?
Variants and related names of Helene include Alena, Elaine, Eleana, Elena, Elina, Eline, Ellyn and Elona.
What are good sibling names for Helene?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Myriam, Pauline, Aline and Cécile for a sister, Gaston, Étienne, Alexandre and Jacques for a brother.
Who are famous people named Helene?
Hélène Grimaud, pianist.