Helmut is a German masculine given name, derived from the Old High German elements "hilt" meaning helmet and "mann" meaning man. It has been used throughout history, most notably among Germanic tribes such as the Goths and Franks. The name gained popularity during the Middle Ages in Germany and Austria, with many notable figures bearing this name. Today, Helmut is still considered a strong and traditional name in German-speaking countries, though its usage has somewhat declined in recent years.
The name Helmut experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a total of 452 births recorded between 1913 and 1978. The peak years were 1956 (17 births) and 1960 (20 births), while there was a notable decrease after 1973, with five or fewer births each year from 1974 onwards.