Baby Names US
boys' name ★ peaked 1917

Helmer

Meaning Helmer is both a masculine given name and a surname Gender Boy Rank 2025 Below top lists

Helmer is both a masculine given name and a surname.

Rank 2025
–
among boys
Babies in 2025
<5
named Helmer
How common
–
boys born in 2025
Peak year
1917
37 babies
All-time total
835
#5,757 all-time among boys
First recorded
1884
in Social Security records

Helmer popularity over time

835 babies have been named Helmer since 1884, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras
0.040.080.110.1518801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1897Boys

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade Boys Per year Change Best rank
1880s 51 5 – #562
1890s 89 9 +75% #528
1900s 63 6 -29% #855
1910s 250 25 +297% #978
1920s 182 18 -27% #1,360
1930s 78 8 -57% #2,357
1940s 22 2 -72% #3,138
1950s 10 1 -55% #4,093
1960s – – – –
1970s – – – –
1980s – – – –
1990s 18 2 – #4,993
2000s 48 5 +167% #7,319
2010s 24 2 -50% #10,093
2020s (to 2025) – – – –

The story of Helmer

Helmer 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 1884, 835 American babies have been named Helmer. Its peak came in 1917, when 37 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 Helmer stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Helmer?

The median living Helmer is about 23 years old; half are between 17 and 70. An estimated 100 people named Helmer are alive in the United States today.

median 23 020406080100

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Helmer year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Boys Boys rank
2025 – –
2024 – –
2023 – –
2022 – –
2021 – –
2020 – –
2019 – –
2018 – –
2017 7 #10,093
2016 – –
2015 – –
2014 – –
2013 6 #11,234
2012 – –
2011 6 #11,359
2010 5 #12,955
2009 – –
2008 9 #8,545
2007 9 #8,447
2006 – –
2005 10 #7,319
2004 – –
2003 7 #9,017
2002 8 #7,921
2001 – –
2000 5 #11,021
1995 6 #8,181
1990 – –
1985 – –
1980 – –
1975 – –
1970 – –
1965 – –
1960 – –
1955 5 #4,093
1950 – –
1945 6 #3,138
1940 – –
1935 10 #2,447
1930 11 #2,515
1925 18 #1,903
1920 29 #1,360
1915 22 #1,481
1910 7 #1,364
1905 – –
1900 10 #872
1895 10 #719
1890 9 #698
1885 12 #562
1880 – –

Famous people named Helmer

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

  1. 1 Helmer Hanssen Helmer Hanssen Norwegian sailor, pilot and polar explorer (1870–1956) 19th century

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Helmer, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Helmer?

The median living Helmer is about 23 years old. Half of all living Helmers are between 17 and 70 years old.

How many people named Helmer are alive today?

An estimated 100 people named Helmer are alive in the United States, based on 835 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Helmer mean?

Helmer is both a masculine given name and a surname.

How popular is the name Helmer in 2025?

Helmer 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 Helmer?

835 babies have been named Helmer in the United States since 1884, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Helmer most popular?

Helmer peaked in 1917, when 37 newborns received the name.

Is Helmer a boy or girl name?

Helmer is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Helmer rising or falling?

Helmer is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Helmer?

Well-known people named Helmer include Helmer Hanssen (explorer).

Names like Helmer

Names that sound and feel close to Helmer: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Helmer with similar names → More names starting with H →