Explore the Family Name Helena
The meaning of Helena
Portuguese: from the personal name Helena, from Latin Helena, of Greek origin, related to helanē ‘torch’ and helē ‘brightness of the sun’. The popularity of this as a personal name is due largely to Saint Helena, mother of the Emperor Constantine, who was influential as a Christian proselytizer in Byzantium.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Helena in the United States?
According to the Decennial U.S. Census, the popularity of the surname Helena has noticeably increased between 2000 and 2010. The data shows that in 2000, Helena was ranked 68,360th in terms of frequency, but by 2010, it had risen to the 54,296th position, marking an impressive 20.57% change. The count of individuals bearing this surname also grew from 269 in 2000 to 380 in 2010, a significant increase of 41.26%. The proportion of people named Helena per 100,000 population also rose from 0.1 to 0.13 during this period, indicating a growth rate of 30%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #68,360 | #54,296 | 20.57% |
| Count | 269 | 380 | 41.26% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.1 | 0.13 | 30% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Helena
The ethnic identity linked with the surname Helena has also seen shifts over time based on the Decennial U.S. Census data. Hispanic identity associated with the surname Helena increased from 60.59% in 2000 to 66.84% in 2010, marking a 10.32% rise. However, the percentage of individuals with the surname Helena identifying as White decreased from 32.71% in 2000 to 27.11% in 2010, indicating a decline of 17.12%. The proportion of those identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander also dropped by 37.01%, from 3.35% in 2000 to 2.11% in 2010. Meanwhile, the proportion of Black individuals with the surname Helena saw a slight rise from 1.86% in 2000 to 2.37% in 2010, reflecting a 27.42% increase. No changes were noted for those identifying with two or more races or as American Indian and Alaskan Native.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hispanic | 60.59% | 66.84% | 10.32% |
| White | 32.71% | 27.11% | -17.12% |
| Black | 1.86% | 2.37% | 27.42% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 3.35% | 2.11% | -37.01% |
| Two or More Races | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |