How to say it
HEL · e · na
ˈhɛl.ə.nə
Feminine
Helena
Torch, light
What it means
The elaborated form of Helen, from a Greek root tied to 'torch' and 'shining light.'
Helena is the fuller form of Helen, from a Greek root linked to 'torch' and bright, shining light. St. Helena, mother of the emperor Constantine, was said to have found the True Cross, and Shakespeare used the name twice. It runs across Europe in many forms and belongs to the luminous Helen family with Elena and Eleanor. You'll hear both HEL-uh-na and huh-LAY-na. Lena and Nell are the shorts.
How to spell Helena
The standard spelling is Helena. Common variants include Helene, Elena, Yelena, but Helena is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #194 in 1881, currently #363 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pronunciation
HEL-uh-na and huh-LAY-na both circulate.
- Nickname
Lena and Nell come out of it; same 'light' root as Elena and Eleanor.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- St. Helena mother of Emperor Constantine, credited with finding the True Cross
- Helena Bonham Carter English actress
Spelling variants
- Helene
- Elena
- Yelena
Names with the same feeling
See Helena from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Helena mean?
- The elaborated form of Helen, from a Greek root tied to 'torch' and 'shining light.'
- What does Helena mean in Greek?
- In Greek, Helena means "Torch, light." Helena is the fuller form of Helen, from a Greek root linked to 'torch' and bright, shining light. St. Helena, mother of the emperor Constantine, was said to have found the True Cross, and Shakespeare used the name twice. It runs across Europe in many forms and belongs to the luminous Helen family with Elena and Eleanor. You'll hear both HEL-uh-na and huh-LAY-na. Lena and Nell are the shorts.
- How do you pronounce Helena?
- Helena is pronounced ˈhɛl.ə.nə. Say it as HEL-e-na, with the stress on the "hel" syllable.
- How do you spell Helena?
- The standard spelling is Helena. Common spelling variants include Helene, Elena, Yelena.
- Is Helena a boy or girl name?
- Helena is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Helena?
- Helena ranked #363 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.