Helena name popularity rises following Polish film success

The film adaptation of Henryk Sienkiewicz’s novel ‘With Fire and Sword’, directed by Jerzy Hoffman, significantly influenced naming trends in Poland. Following the film's release in the early 2000s, there was a notable increase in the popularity of the name Helena, inspired by the character played by Izabella Scorupco.

In 2000, 108 girls were given the name Helena, rising to 122 in 2001, and reaching 1,031 instances in 2024. The name, which originates from the Greek words for ‘brightness’ or ‘torch’, saw its modern resurgence due to the cinematic success of the production.