Back to Baby Names

Helena vs Ellen

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Helena

Girl #414 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"shining light, bright one"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

English Spanish Scandinavian German Polish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#414
Total SSA Count
754
Syllables
3
Formality
Formal

Playground Safety Score

All Clear

Similar Names

Ellen

Girl #1,032 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"sunlight, moon (alternate etymology)"

Origin: Ancient Greek

Cultural Roots

English American Scottish Irish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,032
Total SSA Count
244
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

All Clear

Similar Names

Popularity Comparison

Helena Rank #414
Ellen Rank #1,032

Helena is more popular, ranked #414 vs #1032 for Ellen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Helena or Ellen more popular?

Helena is more popular, ranked #414 compared to Ellen at #1032 in the United States.

What do Helena and Ellen mean?

Helena means "shining light, bright one" (Greek origin). Ellen means "sunlight, moon (alternate etymology)" (Ancient Greek origin).

Are Helena and Ellen boy or girl names?

Helena is primarily a girl name. Ellen is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons