Helen vs Natasha
Helen and Natashacompared on official birth-registration statistics and Namewise's recorded data. This page states what each name's record shows — it never picks a winner or scores one name against the other.
Head to head
Ranks are only compared within one published list and one year. Two ranks from different years, from a boys' and a girls' list, or from different registrars are not comparable, so they are not placed side by side.
New Zealand · Girls
In 1990, Helen was ranked #84 and Natasha #16 among girls in New Zealand.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
In 1982, Helen was ranked #84 and Natasha #47 among girls in New South Wales, Australia.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2013, Helen was ranked #440 and Natasha #218 among girls in Northern Ireland.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2024, Helen was ranked #441 and Natasha #736 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
Norway · Girls
In 2015, Helen was ranked #457 and Natasha #565 among girls in Norway.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2025, Helen was ranked #705 and Natasha #1362 among girls in England and Wales.
Helen and Natasha over time
Helen and Natasha appear together in 6 published lists, across 171 years of shared records. Natasha held the stronger position in more years in 4 of them, Helen in 2.
The order between them changed and held in 3 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Helen reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 3 of those lists, Natasha in 2. Each position is a place inside its own list, so this compares when they peaked and never how high.
Counted list by list. Two names in the same published list are measured on the same scale in the same year, so those comparisons are real — but positions from different lists are not, so nothing here is combined into an overall standing.
How this pair is related
The relationship kinds these two qualify for, each under its own stated rule. Every one is drawn from a list they both appear in.
- One took the other's place near the top
In New South Wales, Australia · Girls, Natasha moved into the top 50 at #50 in 1973 as Helen fell out of it to #53, having been #48 the year before.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 1973, Natasha moved ahead of Helen in New South Wales, Australia · Girls — #48 and #55 the year before became #53 and #50.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Helen and Natasha changed places 4 times in Republic of Ireland · Girls between 1965 and 2024, ending at #441 and #736.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 20 shared years in New Zealand · Girls, Helen and Natasha averaged 33.5 places apart, ending at #84 and #16.
- Longest-running competitions
Helen and Natasha were both ranked in England and Wales · Girls for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #705 and #1362.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Girls within 2 years — Helen #108 in 1996, Natasha #33 in 1996.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Girls58 shared years, 1965–2024
Helen held the stronger position in 39 of those years, Natasha in 19.
Highest recorded here: Helen #11 in 1966, Natasha #69 in 1996.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Helen #441, Natasha #736.
Norway · Girls35 shared years, 1970–2015
Helen held the stronger position in 34 of those years, Natasha in 1.
Highest recorded here: Helen #93 in 1970, Natasha #343 in 2007.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2015: Helen #457, Natasha #565.
England and Wales · Girls30 shared years, 1996–2025
Helen held the stronger position in 4 of those years, Natasha in 25.
Highest recorded here: Helen #108 in 1996, Natasha #33 in 1996.
The order changed in 2024: Helen moved ahead. In 2023 they stood at #1030 and #962; by 2024 that had become #885 and #1262.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Helen #705, Natasha #1362.
New Zealand · Girls20 shared years, 1971–1990
Helen held the stronger position in 3 of those years, Natasha in 17.
Highest recorded here: Helen #28 in 1980, Natasha #8 in 1976.
The order changed in 1974: Natasha moved ahead. In 1973 they stood at #32 and #38; by 1974 that had become #34 and #31.
Most recent shared year, 1990: Helen #84, Natasha #16.
Northern Ireland · Girls16 shared years, 1997–2013
Helen held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Natasha in 16.
Highest recorded here: Helen #132 in 1999, Natasha #34 in 1998.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2013: Helen #440, Natasha #218.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls12 shared years, 1971–1982
Helen held the stronger position in 2 of those years, Natasha in 10.
Highest recorded here: Helen #45 in 1971, Natasha #40 in 1981.
The order changed in 1973: Natasha moved ahead. In 1972 they stood at #48 and #55; by 1973 that had become #53 and #50.
Most recent shared year, 1982: Helen #84, Natasha #47.
Two names moving past each other in a ranking is a fact about the ranking. Namewise does not claim one name displaced the other, that families chose between them, or that either influenced the other — none of that is in this data.
Where to go next
Comparisons that share a name, a rule or a published list with this one. Each is an existing comparison page with its own evidence — nothing here says these pairs are alike.
Other comparisons involving Helen
Pairs where Helen shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Helen vs Carmel
In 1964 they stood at #13 and #21 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2015 they were #222 and #896.
Helen · Carmel · 46 shared years, 1964–2015 · Started together, ended far apart
- Helen vs Pauline
In 1964 they stood at #13 and #12 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 1 places apart; by 2018 they were #255 and #896.
Helen · Pauline · 45 shared years, 1964–2018 · Started together, ended far apart
- Helen vs Teresa
In 1964 they stood at #13 and #19 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #381 and #885.
Helen · Teresa · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Geraldine vs Helen
In 1964 they stood at #9 and #13 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 4 places apart; by 2021 they were #883 and #390.
Geraldine · Helen · 51 shared years, 1964–2021 · Started together, ended far apart
Other comparisons involving Natasha
Pairs where Natasha shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Natasha vs Jodie
In 1996 they stood at #33 and #43 in England and Wales · Girls, 10 places apart; by 2025 they were #1362 and #3035.
Natasha · Jodie · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Grace vs Natasha
In 1996 they stood at #41 and #33 in England and Wales · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #27 and #1362.
Grace · Natasha · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Natasha vs Alice
In 1996 they stood at #33 and #25 in England and Wales · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2025 they were #1362 and #52.
Natasha · Alice · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Elizabeth vs Natasha
In 1996 they stood at #26 and #33 in England and Wales · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2025 they were #74 and #1362.
Elizabeth · Natasha · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Side by side
| Field | Helen | Natasha |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Official statistical record (evidence-only) |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | The English form of Greek Helene. The meaning is genuinely debated among scholars — likely from Greek 'helene' ('torch'), though some suggest a connection to 'selene' ('moon'). In mythology, Helen's abduction by Paris sparked the Trojan War; the name's continued Christian use stems from Saint Helena. | Not yet recorded |
| Origin | Greek, meaning disputed | Not yet recorded |
| Pronunciation | /ˈhɛl.ən/ | Not yet recorded |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Helena, Helene, Ellen, Elena | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE, NO, NZ |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Girls #381 (2025) | England and Wales · Girls #1362 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 90/100 | Not yet recorded |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 94/100 | 82/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | high | medium |
What the data shows
- Helen has a recorded origin (Greek, meaning disputed); Natasha does not have one recorded yet.
- Helen has 2 syllables, compared with 3 for Natasha.
- A meaning is recorded for Helen; Natasha doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE, NO, NZ.
- The available evidence gives Helen a "high" Data Confidence level and Natasha a "medium" level — this reflects how complete and corroborated the underlying evidence is, not a judgement of either name.
How each name got here
Helen
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #149 among girls in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Girls
Highest recorded1952–1982
Highest recorded position: #9 among girls in New South Wales, Australia, in 1952 (recorded 1952–1982).
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #705 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls
Natasha
Popularity journey
First recorded1965
First recorded at #385 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1965 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Highest recorded1971–2005
Highest recorded position: #8 among girls in New Zealand, in 1976 (recorded 1971–2005).
New Zealand · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #1362 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls