Holding steady.
Popularity of Helaine since 1909
Babies named Helaine per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1947, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Helaine's real moment was 1938.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 47 |
| 1920s | 125 |
| 1930s | 241 |
| 1940s | 479 |
| 1950s | 425 |
| 1960s | 354 |
| 1970s | 79 |
| 1980s | 17 |
| 1990s | 11 |
| 2000s | 6 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 5 |
Meaning & origin
Helaine is a French-form variant of Helen that saw modest use in the United States during the early 20th century, first recorded in 1909. Its peak year was 1938, though it never entered the top 1,000 rankings. The name has remained rare, with a stable trajectory, and is not associated with any particular state. It offers a graceful alternative to more common Helen variants, with a distinctly French flair. Parents drawn to vintage, underused names may appreciate Helaine's quiet elegance.
Helaine is a French variant of Helen, which derives from the Greek name Helene, of uncertain meaning but often interpreted as 'torch' or 'light' or related to selene 'moon'. It has been used in France since the Middle Ages and was occasionally adopted in English-speaking countries in the 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Helene, Hélène
Sibling names for Helaine
Names that share Helaine's style, for a brother or sister.
