| Helen | Cynthia | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Torch, light | Moon goddess epithet |
| Origin | Greek | greek |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | HEL-un | SIN-thee-ah |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 0 |
| Peak year | 1918 (36,148) | 1957 (39,340) |
| In 2025 | 668 | 0 |
| Trend | Steady | Vintage |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Helen | Cynthia |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 4,347 | 1,855 |
| 2010s | 7,585 | 5,946 |
| 2000s | 8,847 | 15,172 |
| 1990s | 8,403 | 31,313 |
| 1980s | 8,413 | 41,666 |
| 1970s | 11,476 | 80,196 |
| 1960s | 29,099 | 196,597 |
| 1950s | 57,580 | 263,432 |
| 1940s | 90,742 | 58,061 |
| 1930s | 140,426 | 9,666 |
| 1920s | 290,404 | 3,661 |
| 1910s | 248,154 | 1,911 |
| 1900s | 69,428 | 694 |
| 1890s | 37,802 | 701 |
| 1880s | 11,496 | 582 |
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.”
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 is more popular than Cynthia today: about 668 US babies were given the name Helen in 2025, compared with 0 named Cynthia.
Helen means Torch, light (Greek origin), while Cynthia means Moon goddess epithet (greek origin).
In US records, Helen first appears in 1880 and Cynthia in 0, so Cynthia has the longer recorded history.