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Helen

Girl name · 3,308 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Helen: 3,308 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 255 births in 1975.

From the Greek Helene, meaning “torch” or “shining light,” Helen has shone across millennia. Its most legendary bearer, Helen of Troy, sparked the epic tale of the Trojan War. Closer to our own era, Helen Keller became a global symbol of perseverance as a deaf-blind author and activist. The name also travelled the globe via Saint Helen, mother of Emperor Constantine, lending it to the volcanic island of Saint Helena. In Scotland, the familiar variant Ellen has long been a favourite, while Helen itself enjoys a classic, enduring appeal—a name that feels both timeless and radiant for any little girl.