What Does the Name Helena Mean?
Helena is a girl's name of Greek origin meaning “torch, light (uncertain).”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Helena |
|---|---|
| Gender | female |
| Origin | Greek |
| Meaning | torch, light (uncertain) |
| Variants | Helen, Helene, Elena, Helena, Lena |
| Popularity | Used across Europe and the Americas; especially common in Germany, Scandinavia, Poland, and Brazil. |
The meaning and origin of Helena
The name Helena means “torch, light (uncertain)” and has Greek origins. A Latinate form of the Greek Helene, of debated origin, often linked to helene 'torch' or to a root meaning 'light/bright'. Borne by Helen of Troy and Saint Helena.
Variants and related names
Helena is related to several other names you may recognize: Helen, Helene, Elena, Helena, Lena. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Helena?
Used across Europe and the Americas; especially common in Germany, Scandinavia, Poland, and Brazil.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Helena mean?+
The name Helena means “torch, light (uncertain)” and is of Greek origin.
What is the origin of the name Helena?+
Helena originates from Greek.
Is Helena a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Helena has trended in the US over time.
Helena by gender
More girl's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press