| Cynthia | Helen | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Moon goddess epithet | Torch, light |
| Origin | greek | Greek |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | SIN-thee-ah | HEL-un |
| Syllables | 3 | 2 |
| First appeared | 0 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1957 (39,340) | 1918 (36,148) |
| In 2025 | 0 | 668 |
| Trend | Vintage | Steady |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Cynthia | Helen |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 1,855 | 4,347 |
| 2010s | 5,946 | 7,585 |
| 2000s | 15,172 | 8,847 |
| 1990s | 31,313 | 8,403 |
| 1980s | 41,666 | 8,413 |
| 1970s | 80,196 | 11,476 |
| 1960s | 196,597 | 29,099 |
| 1950s | 263,432 | 57,580 |
| 1940s | 58,061 | 90,742 |
| 1930s | 9,666 | 140,426 |
| 1920s | 3,661 | 290,404 |
| 1910s | 1,911 | 248,154 |
| 1900s | 694 | 69,428 |
| 1890s | 701 | 37,802 |
| 1880s | 582 | 11,496 |
Cynthia is from Greek Kynthia, an epithet of Artemis meaning 'from Mount Cynthus,' her birthplace on Delos. The moon association comes because Artemis (and Selene) were called Cynthia; it is cultural, not a literal 'moon' etymology.
Helen comes from Greek and is traditionally linked to “torch” or “light,” from a root meaning “shining.” Helen of Troy was, in Homer, the face “that launched a thousand ships.”
Helen is more popular than Cynthia today: about 668 US babies were given the name Helen in 2025, compared with 0 named Cynthia.
Cynthia means Moon goddess epithet (greek origin), while Helen means Torch, light (Greek origin).
In US records, Cynthia first appears in 0 and Helen in 1880, so Cynthia has the longer recorded history.