At a glance
- U.S. rank 2025
- Not in the 2025 data · last seen 2020 (#15,088)
- Babies in 2020
- 5 (<0.01% of girls)
- Peak
- #9,452 in 2005
- First recorded
- 1997
Meaning of Heli
Heli arrives on the scene like a golden sol dancing across a cobblestone plaza, fusing Nordic serenity and ancient warmth in one luminous syllable. In Finnish (HEH-lee) it conjures the gentle echo of Helena’s grace, while in Hebrew (HEY-lee) it shimmers with the meaning “shining one” or “my God.” Though only a handful of girls in the U.S. wear this name each year—hovering around the 950th spot—its rarity makes every Heli feel like a secret treasure waiting to bloom. Imagine her name whispering through sunlit olive groves, igniting imaginations and carrying a corazón brimming with esperanza. For parents craving something auténtico, cálido y lleno de luz, Heli is an irresistible choice—and let’s be honest, it might even outshine her morning café con leche!
How to pronounce Heli
Finnish
- Pronounced HEH-lee /he.li/
Hebrew
- Pronounced HEY-lee /heː.li/
Popularity of Heli in the U.S.
Heli was last recorded in the U.S. in 2020, ranked #15,088 with 5 babies. It peaked at #9,452 in 2005. It first appears in the records in 1997.
- Rank among U.S. girl names (right scale, #1 at the top)
Year-by-year table, 1997–2020 18 rows
| Year | Babies | Rank | vs previous year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 5 | 15,088 | back (not recorded in 2019) |
| 2018 | 5 | 15,682 | ▼ 1,558 |
| 2017 | 6 | 14,124 | ▲ 2,091 |
| 2016 | 5 | 16,215 | ▼ 3,209 |
| 2015 | 7 | 13,006 | ▲ 63 |
| 2014 | 7 | 13,069 | ▼ 2,069 |
| 2013 | 9 | 11,000 | ▼ 571 |
| 2012 | 10 | 10,429 | ▲ 1,724 |
| 2011 | 8 | 12,153 | ▼ 2,363 |
| 2010 | 11 | 9,790 | ▲ 1,669 |
| 2009 | 9 | 11,459 | ▲ 3,946 |
| 2008 | 6 | 15,405 | ▲ 2,231 |
| 2007 | 5 | 17,636 | back (not recorded in 2006) |
| 2005 | 11 | 9,452 | ▲ 2,172 |
| 2004 | 8 | 11,624 | back (not recorded in 2003) |
| 2002 | 6 | 13,595 | back (not recorded in 2001) |
| 2000 | 5 | 15,031 | back (not recorded in 1998–1999) |
| 1997 | 7 | 10,836 | new |
Notable people named Heli
- Heli Laats was an Estonian mezzo-soprano known for singing estrada, chamber, pop, polka, and jazz music.
- Heli Simpson — Heli Baker is an Australian actress and doctor best known for playing Veronica DiAngelo in The Saddle Club.
- Heli Jarvinen is a Finnish Green League politician who has served in Parliament and on local councils.
- Heli Koivula-Kruger — Heli Maarit Kruger is a Finnish former long jumper and triple jumper who won triple jump silver at the 2002 European Championships.
- Heli Matzdorf is a German former swimmer who competed in two events at the 1968 Summer Olympics.