Helga Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Helga is an Old Norse name meaning 'holy' or 'blessed', evolving from Proto-Germanic roots. It has historical significance in Scandinavia and is associated with strength and tradition. The name has no biblical relevance and has seen consistent usage, particularly in Nordic countries.
The name Helga is most popular in North Dakota, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Silent Generation generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Helga has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Helga' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1258th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1822nd out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2085th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3430th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 15284th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 30306th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Helga' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Helga"
Pronunciation
/ˈhɛlɡə/
Origin
Old Norse
Etymology
The name Helga comes from the Old Norse name 'Helga', which means 'holy' or 'blessed'. It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word '*hailagaz', which also relates to the concept of holiness.
Meaning
holy, blessed
Language Evolution
Proto-Germanic: *hailagaz, Old Norse: Helga, Old High German: Helgunt, Modern Scandinavian languages: Helga
Historical Usage
Helga gained popularity in Scandinavia during the Viking Age and has remained a common name in Nordic countries. It has been consistently used in various forms throughout history.
Variants & Derivatives
Helge, Hilda, Hélène
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Helga is viewed as a traditional and classic name in Scandinavian cultures. It often evokes a sense of heritage and strength.
Famous People
Helga Anders, Austrian actress, Helga esther, German artist, Helga von Sinnen, German comedian
Explore More Helga Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Helga"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Helga"
"Helga" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1258th of 9107 | 656 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1822nd of 9204 | 370 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2085th of 12526 | 527 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 3430th of 19264 | 306 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 15284th of 27321 | 38 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 30306th of 30306 | 5 |
Regional Popularity of "Helga" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Helga" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
55.44% 785th/1416 |
- | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
100.00% 1546th/1546 |
47.69% 742nd/1556 |
- | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
63.99% 1425th/2227 |
53.50% 1300th/2430 |
- |
67.10% 1862nd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
68.39% 2382nd/3483 |
- |
94.04% 3803rd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Helga"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Helga" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.