| Helen | Katherine | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Torch, light | Pure |
| Origin | Greek | Greek |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | HEL-un | KATH-rin |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1918 (36,148) | 1990 (11,625) |
| In 2025 | 668 | 1,670 |
| Trend | Steady | Declining |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Helen | Katherine |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 4,347 | 10,675 |
| 2010s | 7,585 | 34,144 |
| 2000s | 8,847 | 65,356 |
| 1990s | 8,403 | 96,885 |
| 1980s | 8,413 | 99,175 |
| 1970s | 11,476 | 54,048 |
| 1960s | 29,099 | 50,619 |
| 1950s | 57,580 | 66,855 |
| 1940s | 90,742 | 39,912 |
| 1930s | 140,426 | 25,193 |
| 1920s | 290,404 | 42,745 |
| 1910s | 248,154 | 36,884 |
| 1900s | 69,428 | 12,105 |
| 1890s | 37,802 | 9,408 |
| 1880s | 11,496 | 6,922 |
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.”
Katherine comes from the Greek Aikaterine, of debated origin, long associated with katharos, “pure.” A name of saints, empresses and queens, it offers an unusual wealth of nicknames.
Katherine is more popular than Helen today: about 1,670 US babies were given the name Katherine in 2025, compared with 668 named Helen.
Helen means Torch, light (Greek origin), while Katherine means Pure (Greek origin).
In US records, Helen first appears in 1880 and Katherine in 1880, so Helen has the longer recorded history.