Elena

ClassicElegantRomanticSophisticatedTimeless

Elena is a name of Greek origin meaning 'bright, shining light,' derived from the ancient Greek name Helene. It's the Spanish, Italian, and Slavic form of Helen, carrying timeless elegance across many cultures.

Current Popularity

#42 for girls

in the United States (2025)

Projected 2026: #41, likely #36 to #46

↗Rising fast

Popularity over time

188019502020
Recent years · births per year

Dashed bar: 2026 (projected): 4,998. How this is calculated

Yearly values
  • 2011: 1,939
  • 2012: 2,275
  • 2013: 2,393
  • 2014: 2,616
  • 2015: 2,898
  • 2016: 3,190
  • 2017: 3,882
  • 2018: 3,776
  • 2019: 3,949
  • 2020: 3,930
  • 2021: 4,283
  • 2022: 4,290
  • 2023: 4,276
  • 2024: 4,577
  • 2025: 4,836
  • 2026 (projected): 4,998

Good to Know

Common nicknames: Ellie, Lena, Elle, Lainey, Nell
  • •Easy to pronounce in multiple languages
  • •Spelling is straightforward and rarely confused
  • •Well-recognized internationally without feeling dated
  • •Popular in Europe, Latin America, and increasingly in English-speaking countries
  • •Multiple spelling variations exist

Famous People

E

Elena Ferrante

Italian novelist

E

Elena Kagan

U.S. Supreme Court Justice

E

Elena Poniatowska

Mexican journalist and author

E

Elena Vesnina

Russian professional tennis player

Statistics

108,013

Total births since 1880

2025

Peak year

Discovery

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