Helena Bonham Carter was born in Golders Green, London, into a prominent family. Her father, Raymond Bonham Carter, was a merchant banker, and her mother, Elena (née Propper de Callejón), was a psychotherapist. She has two older brothers, Edward and Thomas.

Helena grew up in a well-educated and supportive family. She has described her childhood as relatively normal, despite her family's connections. Her paternal grandfather was Sir Maurice Bonham Carter, a prominent Liberal politician, and her maternal grandmother was Baroness Hélène Fould-Springer, a member of the Rothschild banking family.

Helena attended South Hampstead High School, a prestigious girls' school in London. She later attended Westminster School, a leading independent school, where she was accepted into the sixth form, studying A-Levels. This provided her with a strong academic foundation, even as her acting ambitions grew.

While academically capable, Bonham Carter decided against attending university, choosing instead to focus on her acting career. This was a significant decision, demonstrating her commitment to her passion and willingness to pursue a less traditional path.