Helma
Every Helma since 1880 — 595 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Helma
Helma is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1880, 595 American babies have been named Helma. Its peak came in 1916, when 25 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Helma stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Helma year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | 9 | #3,175 |
| 1925 | 10 | #3,214 |
| 1920 | 14 | #2,512 |
| 1915 | 23 | #1,542 |
| 1910 | 7 | #2,016 |
| 1905 | 10 | #1,264 |
| 1900 | 7 | #1,638 |
| 1895 | 15 | #836 |
| 1890 | 12 | #804 |
| 1885 | 8 | #818 |
| 1880 | 6 | #786 |
Famous people named Helma
- Helma Sanders-Brahms Film director · 1940–2014
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Helma in 2025?
Helma did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Helma?
595 babies have been named Helma in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Helma most popular?
Helma peaked in 1916, when 25 newborns received the name.
Is Helma a boy or girl name?
Helma is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Helma rising or falling?
Helma has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Helma?
Well-known people named Helma include Helma Sanders-Brahms (film director).