Helge is a unique and distinctive male given name of Scandinavian origin. It is derived from the Old Norse name Heðinn, which was used by several historical figures in Norse mythology.
The name Helge means "hidden" or "concealed," and it is believed to have been chosen because of its association with the god Baldur, who was hidden from death for a time. In Norse mythology, Helge is also associated with the god Heimdall, who is known as the watchman of the gods and is said to be able to see and hear great distances.
The name Helge has been used in Scandinavia since the Middle Ages, but it was not particularly common until the 20th century. Today, Helge is most commonly found in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Iceland, where it remains a popular choice among parents looking for a distinctive yet meaningful name for their sons.
While Helge may be less familiar to some outside of Scandinavia, its unique sound and historical significance make it a memorable and intriguing name. It is also a name that has been adopted by other cultures throughout history, with notable bearers including the German writer Helge Åbeni (1862-1937) and the Swiss chess grandmaster Helge Ostergaard (born 1954).
The statistics provided indicate that the name Helge has had a somewhat limited popularity in the United States during the early to mid-20th century. Between the years of 1907 and 1930, there were a total of 49 babies named Helge, with the highest number of births occurring in 1917 with 10 babies being given this name.
Over the course of these years, the popularity of the name Helge fluctuated. In some years, such as 1907 and 1913, only five babies were named Helge. However, there was a notable increase in popularity between 1914 and 1915, with six and five births respectively during these two years.
Interestingly, the name Helge experienced another surge in popularity in 1924 and 1930, with five babies being named Helge each year. This suggests that there may have been a resurgence of interest in this name towards the end of the time period covered by the statistics.
Overall, while the name Helge may not have been extremely popular during this time, it did appear with some frequency among baby names in the United States between 1907 and 1930. It is always fascinating to explore the trends and patterns in naming practices over time.