NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Heli

A feminine name of Hebrew origin meaning "sunray".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2021. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Heli is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Heli popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5581, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2014, with 4 births.

This profile covers 13 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 2006 to 2021. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 13 living people in the UK are called Heli. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2022 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Heli ranked #5581 for girls in England and Wales in 2021, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2014, when 4 girls were registered as Heli.
  • About 13 living people in the UK are estimated to have Heli as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5581

2021

Births in 2021

3

Latest year

Peak year

2014

4 births

Estimated living

13

2026

Meaning

What does Heli mean?

The name Heli has its origins in the Finnish language, where it is derived from the word "helina," meaning "ringing" or "tinkling." This connection suggests that the name may have initially been associated with the sound of bells or other musical instruments.

In Finnish mythology, Heli is also the name of a minor goddess associated with the sun and warmth. This divine figure was believed to bring the warmth of spring and summer after the long, cold winters of the region.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Heli can be found in the Finnish epic poem "Kalevala," which was first compiled and published in the 19th century. The poem draws upon ancient Finnish folklore and oral traditions, indicating that the name has been in use for centuries.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Heli. One example is Heli Korhonen (1926-2001), a Finnish cross-country skier who won two gold medals at the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

Another prominent figure is Heli Rantanen (born 1963), a Finnish diplomat and politician who has served as the Director-General of the Finnish National Board of Antiquities and as a member of the Finnish Parliament.

In the realm of literature, Heli Laaksonen (born 1952) is a Finnish author and journalist known for her works exploring themes of identity, gender, and relationships.

Heli Tulonen (born 1980) is a Finnish actress who has appeared in numerous television series and films, including the popular crime drama "Bordertown."

Heli Vaarakyro (born 1967) is a Finnish artist and sculptor whose works have been featured in exhibitions worldwide, exploring themes of nature, mythology, and the human condition.

While the name Heli has its roots in Finnish culture and language, it has also gained popularity in other parts of the world, particularly in regions with strong Finnish communities or influences.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Heli over time

The chart below shows babies named Heli registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2006 to 2021. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Heli, the clearest high point is 2014. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2021, compared with 4 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Heli
01234200620132021

Decades

Heli by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Heli was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #5581 3 1
2010s #4684 4 1
2000s #5303 6 2

Related

Names similar to Heli

FAQ

Heli: questions and answers

How popular is the name Heli in the UK right now?

In 2021, Heli was ranked #5581 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Heli most popular?

The peak year on record was 2014, with 4 babies registered as Heli in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Heli?

A feminine name of Hebrew origin meaning "sunray".

How many people are called Heli in the UK?

A total of 13 babies have been registered as Heli across the 4 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.