Girl names beginning with H range from ancient heroines to today’s U.S. chart favorites. Below you’ll find historic lists with meanings plus trustworthy links to popularity data and background reading.
Ancient Origins (Biblical, Greek, Roman)
- Hannah – Hebrew, “grace”
- Hadassah – Hebrew, “myrtle”
- Hagar – Biblical figure
- Helena – Greek, linked to “light”
- Helen – Greek, “torch; light”
- Hera – Greek queen of the gods
- Hestia – Greek goddess of hearth
- Hebe – Greek, “youth”
- Hecate – Greek goddess of crossroads
- Harmonia – Greek, “harmony”
- Hilaria – Latin, “cheerful”
- Hermione – Greek, from Hermes
- Hippolyta – Greek queen of the Amazons
- Hilariana – Latin elaboration
- Hypatia – Greek philosopher
- Honoria – Latin, “honor”
- Hortensia – Latin, “garden”
- Heliodora – Greek, “gift of the sun”
- Hannelore – German compound, “grace + light”
- Huldah – Biblical, “weasel,” prophetess
Medieval and Renaissance
- Hildegard – Germanic, “battle guard”
- Heloise – French medieval heroine
- Hedwig – Germanic, “war” + “battle”
- Helmine – Diminutive of Wilhelmine
- Hadewijch – Medieval mystic poet
- Hanne – Medieval form of Hannah
- Helisent – Medieval romance name
- Honesta – Virtue name
- Hermine – French and German use
- Hendrika – Dutch, “home ruler”
- Hroswitha – Medieval dramatist
- Helga – Norse, “holy; blessed”
- Herlinda – Medieval saint
- Hedda – Germanic diminutive
- Herlaug – Norse record
- Herlina – Medieval register
- Herlinde – Germanic compound
- Hannelina – Medieval diminutive
- Herlisa – Romance record
- Herlitha – Medieval variant
Victorian and Early Modern (1800s–early 1900s)
- Helen – Popular across the English-speaking world
- Helena – Romantic classic
- Harriet – Vintage favorite
- Hattie – Diminutive of Harriet
- Hope – Virtue name
- Honor – Virtue revival
- Hester – Vintage form of Esther
- Hazel – Botanical, “hazel tree”
- Hollis – Surname style
- Hedda – European classic
- Hortense – French, “gardener”
- Henrietta – Feminine of Henry
- Helga – Scandinavian import
- Heloise – Literary revival
- Hyacinth – Botanical name
- Helmine – Diminutive revival
- Harmonie – Romantic spelling
- Heloisa – Romance-language form
- Hermine – Widespread in Europe
- Hilaria – Festive vintage
Modern Favorites (20th–21st Century, U.S. Focus)
- Harper – Surname name turned chart-topper
- Hazel – Vintage botanical revival
- Hannah – Biblical classic
- Hailey – Popular 2000s spelling
- Hailee – Modern variant
- Haileygh – Creative modern spelling
- Haven – Word name
- Hallie – Sweet, casual style
- Harlow – Surname chic
- Heidi – Swiss-literary favorite
- Halle – Modern form related to Halle Berry
- Harmony – Word name with musical feel
- Heaven – Spiritual word name
- Haisley – Trend blend
- Holland – Place name
- Hunter – Unisex modern
- Hope – Consistent virtue choice
- Helena – Elegant international
- Hayden – Unisex surname name
- Hadley – Surname favorite
Helpful Resources
Check popularity and name history with these trusted sources:
- U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data: official name rankings
- Behind the Name database: etymology and variants
- Encyclopaedia Britannica: Helen of Troy overview
More parenting reads on our site:
FAQs
What are the most popular H girl names in recent U.S. data?
Harper, Hazel, Hannah, Hailey, and Hadley rank highly in recent SSA lists. See the latest rankings.
Which H names have royal or historical ties?
Helena and Helen appear across European history, and Hildegard and Heloise are notable medieval figures. Read more on Hildegard of Bingen.
Are there virtue-based H names?
Hope and Honor are classic virtue names that continue to see steady use in the U.S.
From Hannah and Helen to Harper and Hazel, H names balance history and modern style. Use the resources above to confirm meanings and U.S. popularity, and choose the form that fits your family best.
