Helder first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Helder has been for the last 47 years (from 1975 to 2021) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Helder

A masculine Portuguese name meaning "bright" or "shining".

Popularity of Helder by gender

Based on the last 47 years of data, Helder is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2021, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Helder.

Year Male Count Female Count
2021 6 0
2019 5 0
2018 5 0
2014 8 0
2011 6 0
2009 9 0
2008 5 0
2007 9 0
2006 7 0
2005 11 0
2003 7 0
2002 7 0
2000 6 0
1997 8 0
1996 7 0
1995 5 0
1993 6 0
1992 6 0
1991 6 0
1988 6 0
1985 6 0
1984 7 0
1983 7 0
1982 8 0
1981 7 0
1980 9 0
1978 10 0
1977 11 0
1976 6 0
1975 7 0

The history of the first name Helder

The name Helder originated from the Portuguese language and has its roots dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Germanic word "hildi," which means "battle" or "combat." The name is believed to have been introduced to the Iberian Peninsula during the Visigothic invasions in the 5th and 6th centuries.

In Portugal, the name Helder gained popularity during the Age of Discovery, a period of great exploration and maritime expansion between the 15th and 17th centuries. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the chronicles of the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama, who referred to a navigator named Helder during his voyages to India in the late 15th century.

One of the most notable historical figures with the name Helder was Helder Câmara (1909-1999), a Brazilian Roman Catholic Archbishop who was a prominent voice for human rights and social justice. He was a vocal critic of the military dictatorship in Brazil and played a significant role in the country's transition to democracy.

Another notable individual was Helder Nunes Lenz (1967-), a Brazilian actor and director known for his work in theater, television, and film. He has received several prestigious awards, including the Candango Award for Best Actor and the Shell Award for Best Director.

In the field of sports, Helder Postiga (1982-) is a former Portuguese professional footballer who played as a striker for several clubs, including Porto, Tottenham Hotspur, and the Portuguese national team. He represented Portugal in two European Championships and one World Cup.

Helder Oliveira (1964-) is a Brazilian artist and sculptor known for his large-scale public installations and sculptures made from recycled materials. His works have been exhibited in various countries around the world, and he has received numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions to the art world.

Helder Moutinho (1933-2019) was a Portuguese writer and journalist who was best known for his contributions to the literary magazine "Orpheu." He was a prominent figure in the Portuguese literary scene and was awarded the prestigious Camões Prize in 1988 for his body of work.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Helder was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Helder, please contact us.

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"Helder first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on August 4, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/helder-meaning-and-history/.

"Helder first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/helder-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 4 August, 2025

Helder first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/helder-meaning-and-history/.

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