Helvia is the feminine form of Helvius, an ancient Roman name. The root name Helvius itself derives from either the Latin word helvus, meaning "honey-yellow" or "blond," or from the Helvii, a Celtic tribe that lived west of the Rhône River in what is now France. As a cognomen, Helvius was used by several notable Romans, including Gaius Helvius Cinna, a poet of the 1st century BC. The feminine derivative Helvia follows a common Latin pattern for female names (e.g., Claudia from Claudius, Cornelia from Cornelius). While the name Helvia has ancient Roman origins, it is notably obscure and has not been widely used throughout history. A Spanish (Latin American) variant, Elvia, exists. The name is also homonymous with a genus of praying mantises scientifically named Helvia (as in Helvia cardinalis, the yellow flower mantis), but this is unrelated to the Roman name and is simply a modern taxonomic usage. There are no notable bearers in history beyond possible Roman-era women, and the name remains rare today, occasionally chosen by those interested in classical Latin names. Meaning: Feminine form of Helvius, possibly meaning "honey-yellow" or referencing a Celtic tribe. Origin: Roman (Latin). Type: Feminine given name. Usage Regions: Historically in the Roman Empire; later found sporadically in Western countries.