Elena Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated June 7, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Elena Name Meaning

Fact: Elena is a top 10 name in Spain and highly popular in many European countries.

Continue Reading…
A Deep Dive

Elena Overview

Meaning

Shining light

Gender

Girl

Origin

Greek

Etymology

The name Elena means “shining light,” associated with beauty and radiance. It has Greek origins, derived from the word “Helene,” which signifies light or brightness.

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ɛˈleɪnə/

Popularity

Elena is a popular name in many countries, often ranking high in baby name charts.

Syllable

3 syllables

Length

5 letters

Numerology

1 (Pioneering, Independent, Leading)

Name Styles

Popular, Exotic, Classic, Cute

Associated Traits

Beauty, radiance, elegance, light

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

The name Elena holds significance in Christianity and various cultures, often linked to figures of light and brightness.

Name Day

December 15th
A Deep Dive

Elena Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Helena, Alena, Elaina, Eleni, Elina, Lena, Eleonora, Elin, Elen, Elenia

Common Nicknames

Ellie, Lena, Ella, Laney, Nellie, Leni, Eli, Elly

Diminutives

Elen, Elia, Elli, Lina, Elle, Enna, Leni, Lia

Famous People

  • Elena Ferrante
    (Italian Author)
  • Elena Kagan
    (American Justice)
  • Elena Dementieva
    (Russian Tennis Player)
  • Elena Anaya
    (Spanish Actress)
  • Elena Hight
    (American Snowboarder)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Elena Gilbert
    ("The Vampire Diaries," TV Show)
  • Elena of Avalor
    ("Elena of Avalor," TV Show)
  • Elena Alvarez
    ("One Day at a Time," TV Show)
  • Elena
    ("Uncharted," Video Game Series)
  • Elena
    ("Elena," Film)

Places

  • Santa Elena City
    (Ecuador)
  • Elena Town
    (Bulgaria)
  • Santa Elena Canyon
    (Texas, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Elena?

The name Elena means “shining light.” This name is often associated with beauty and radiance.

What Is the Origin of The Name Elena?

Elena has Greek origins, derived from the word “Helene,” which signifies light or brightness.

Elena Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Elena in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#532021#492022#472023
Top 3 Rankings#472023#492022#532021

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Elena

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
202347
(+2 from 2022)
4261
(-24 from 2022)
0.24360
202249
(+4 from 2021)
4285
(+9 from 2021)
0.23898
202153
(+2 from 2020)
4276
(+350 from 2020)
0.23867
202055
(+5 from 2019)
3926
(-18 from 2019)
0.22210
201960
(+7 from 2018)
3944
(+169 from 2018)
0.21495
201867
(+1 from 2017)
3775
(-104 from 2017)
0.20299
201768
(+26 from 2016)
3879
(+693 from 2016)
0.20533
201694
(+12 from 2015)
3186
(+289 from 2015)
0.16458
2015106
(+15 from 2014)
2897
(+281 from 2014)
0.14850
2014121
(+11 from 2013)
2616
(+223 from 2013)
0.13372
2013132
(+7 from 2012)
2393
(+119 from 2012)
0.12414
2012139
(+21 from 2011)
2274
(+335 from 2011)
0.11725
2011160
(+4 from 2010)
1939
(+54 from 2010)
0.10007
2010164
(+31 from 2009)
1885
(+200 from 2009)
0.09614
2009195
(+14 from 2008)
1685
(+60 from 2008)
0.08321
2008209
(-17 from 2007)
1625
(-118 from 2007)
0.07802
2007192
(-5 from 2006)
1743
(-132 from 2006)
0.08235
2006187
(+30 from 2005)
1875
(+271 from 2005)
0.08969
2005217
(-2 from 2004)
1604
(+20 from 2004)
0.07903
2004215
(+7 from 2003)
1584
(+120 from 2003)
0.07850
2003222
(+11 from 2002)
1464
(+106 from 2002)
0.07296
2002233
(-5 from 2001)
1358
(-34 from 2001)
0.06876
2001228
(+6 from 2000)
1392
(+26 from 2000)
0.07027
2000234
(-22 from 1999)
1366
(-102 from 1999)
0.06845
1999212
(+61 from 1998)
1468
(+330 from 1998)
0.07541
1998273
(+22 from 1997)
1138
(+167 from 1997)
0.05871
1997295
(+6 from 1996)
971
(+24 from 1996)
0.05086
1996301
(-8 from 1995)
947
(+1 from 1995)
0.04939
1995293
(+4 from 1994)
946
(+25 from 1994)
0.04923
1994297
(+25 from 1993)
921
(+102 from 1993)
0.04725
1993322
(+15 from 1992)
819
(+28 from 1992)
0.04154
1992337
(+11 from 1991)
791
(+49 from 1991)
0.03946
1991348
(+4 from 1990)
742
(-15 from 1990)
0.03649
1990352
(+3 from 1989)
757
(+35 from 1989)
0.03685
1989355
(+38 from 1988)
722
(+111 from 1988)
0.03624
1988393
(-4 from 1987)
611
(+17 from 1987)
0.03177
1987389
(-22 from 1986)
594
(-45 from 1986)
0.03169
1986367
(-38 from 1985)
639
(-84 from 1985)
0.03462
1985329
(+68 from 1984)
723
(+181 from 1984)
0.03916
1984397
(-7 from 1983)
542
(-21 from 1983)
0.03006
1983390
(-17 from 1982)
563
(-53 from 1982)
0.03146
1982373
(-16 from 1981)
616
(-40 from 1981)
0.03395
1981357
(+13 from 1980)
656
(+23 from 1980)
0.03668
1980370
(-11 from 1979)
633
(+4 from 1979)
0.03555
1979359
(+12 from 1978)
629
(+55 from 1978)
0.03650
1978371
(+18 from 1977)
574
(+35 from 1977)
0.03492
1977389
(-2 from 1976)
539
(+8 from 1976)
0.03277
1976387
(+2 from 1975)
531
(+10 from 1975)
0.03378
1975389
(-7 from 1974)
521
(-25 from 1974)
0.03338
1974382
(+58 from 1973)
546
(+114 from 1973)
0.03486
1973440
(-35 from 1972)
432
(-54 from 1972)
0.02780
1972405
(+7 from 1971)
486
(-28 from 1971)
0.03014
1971412
(+21 from 1970)
514
(+5 from 1970)
0.02933
1970433
(-9 from 1969)
509
(-13 from 1969)
0.02779
1969424
(+12 from 1968)
522
(+47 from 1968)
0.02961
1968436
(-34 from 1967)
475
(-44 from 1967)
0.02778
1967402
(-4 from 1966)
519
(-10 from 1966)
0.03023
1966398
(+45 from 1965)
529
(+74 from 1965)
0.03013
1965443
(-9 from 1964)
455
(-52 from 1964)
0.02490
1964434
(+7 from 1963)
507
(+24 from 1963)
0.02590
1963441
(+28 from 1962)
483
(+62 from 1962)
0.02429
1962469
(+17 from 1961)
421
(+21 from 1961)
0.02077
1961486
(-16 from 1960)
400
(-30 from 1960)
0.01926
1960470
(+15 from 1959)
430
(+31 from 1959)
0.02068
1959485
(-29 from 1958)
399
(-40 from 1958)
0.01920
1958456
(+15 from 1957)
439
(+35 from 1957)
0.02125
1957471
(+31 from 1956)
404
(+56 from 1956)
0.01926
1956502
(-57 from 1955)
348
(-59 from 1955)
0.01690
1955445
(+38 from 1954)
407
(+69 from 1954)
0.02030
1954483
(+6 from 1953)
338
(+24 from 1953)
0.01698
1953489
(+17 from 1952)
314
(+37 from 1952)
0.01627
1952506
(-2 from 1951)
277
(+10 from 1951)
0.01456
1951504
(-3 from 1950)
267
(+8 from 1950)
0.01445
1950501
(-4 from 1949)
259
(-7 from 1949)
0.01473
1949497
(-19 from 1948)
266
(-15 from 1948)
0.01515
1948478
(+39 from 1947)
281
(+25 from 1947)
0.01612
1947517
(-15 from 1946)
256
(+15 from 1946)
0.01408
1946502
(-8 from 1945)
241
(+25 from 1945)
0.01494
1945494
(-16 from 1944)
216
(-7 from 1944)
0.01605
1944478
(+19 from 1943)
223
(-2 from 1943)
0.01632
1943497
(+22 from 1942)
225
(+20 from 1942)
0.01568
1942519
(-25 from 1941)
205
(+7 from 1941)
0.01474
1941494
(+104 from 1940)
198
(+63 from 1940)
0.01589
1940598
(-5 from 1939)
135
(+8 from 1939)
0.01143
1939593
(-43 from 1938)
127
(-26 from 1938)
0.01120
1938550
No change from 1937
153
(+5 from 1937)
0.01340
1937550
(-20 from 1936)
148
(-2 from 1936)
0.01343
1936530
(+31 from 1935)
150
(+20 from 1935)
0.01392
1935561
(-59 from 1934)
130
(-34 from 1934)
0.01196
1934502
(-23 from 1933)
164
(-14 from 1933)
0.01515
1933479
(-4 from 1932)
178
(-15 from 1932)
0.01702
1932475
(+10 from 1931)
193
(+17 from 1931)
0.01745
1931485
(-30 from 1930)
176
(-43 from 1930)
0.01595
1930455
(-5 from 1929)
219
(+5 from 1929)
0.01877
1929450
(-22 from 1928)
214
(-36 from 1928)
0.01849
1928428
(+13 from 1927)
250
(+8 from 1927)
0.02091
1927441
(+2 from 1926)
242
(+10 from 1926)
0.01957
1926443
(+36 from 1925)
232
(+19 from 1925)
0.01886
1925479
(-3 from 1924)
213
No change from 1924
0.01686
1924476
(-2 from 1923)
213
(+2 from 1923)
0.01644
1923474
(+7 from 1922)
211
(+6 from 1922)
0.01685
1922481
(-6 from 1921)
205
(-6 from 1921)
0.01643
1921475
(+54 from 1920)
211
(+33 from 1920)
0.01649
1920529
(-15 from 1919)
178
(+3 from 1919)
0.01431
1919514
(-20 from 1918)
175
(-13 from 1918)
0.01490
1918494
(+31 from 1917)
188
(+26 from 1917)
0.01564
1917525
(-19 from 1916)
162
(-4 from 1916)
0.01442
1916506
(-25 from 1915)
166
(+2 from 1915)
0.01529
1915481
(-3 from 1914)
164
(+32 from 1914)
0.01602
1914478
(-14 from 1913)
132
(+16 from 1913)
0.01657
1913464
(+72 from 1912)
116
(+33 from 1912)
0.01771
1912536
(-93 from 1911)
83
(-1 from 1911)
0.01415
1911443
(+60 from 1910)
84
(+19 from 1910)
0.01901
1910503
(+32 from 1909)
65
(+15 from 1909)
0.01549
1909535
(-59 from 1908)
50
(-7 from 1908)
0.01358
1908476
(+78 from 1907)
57
(+14 from 1907)
0.01608
1907554
(+1 from 1906)
43
(+3 from 1906)
0.01274
1906555
(+45 from 1905)
40
(+6 from 1905)
0.01276
1905600
(-80 from 1904)
34
(-6 from 1904)
0.01097
1904520
(+175 from 1903)
40
(+17 from 1903)
0.01368
1903695
(-167 from 1902)
23
(-14 from 1902)
0.00827
1902528
(+49 from 1901)
37
(+8 from 1901)
0.01320
1901577
(+183 from 1900)
29
(+6 from 1900)
0.01141
1900760
(-116 from 1899)
23
No change from 1899
0.00724
1899644
(+53 from 1898)
23
(+1 from 1898)
0.00929
1898697
(+38 from 1897)
22
(+4 from 1897)
0.00802
1897735
(-114 from 1896)
18
(-7 from 1896)
0.00725
1896621
(-14 from 1895)
25
No change from 1895
0.00992
1895607
(-50 from 1894)
25
(-2 from 1894)
0.01012
1894557
(+156 from 1893)
27
(+10 from 1893)
0.01144
1893713
(+49 from 1892)
17
(+2 from 1892)
0.00755
1892762
(-118 from 1891)
15
(-2 from 1891)
0.00667
1891644
(+181 from 1890)
17
(+6 from 1890)
0.00865
1890825
(-23 from 1889)
11
No change from 1889
0.00545
1889802
(-139 from 1888)
11
(-4 from 1888)
0.00581
1888663
(+274 from 1887)
15
(+8 from 1887)
0.00792
1887937
(-244 from 1886)
7
(-4 from 1886)
0.00450
1886693
(+149 from 1885)
11
(+4 from 1885)
0.00716
1885842
(-156 from 1884)
7
(-3 from 1884)
0.00493
1884686
(+144 from 1881)
10
(+5 from 1881)
0.00727
18830
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18820
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
1881830
(-202 from 1880)
5
(-3 from 1880)
0.00506
1880628
First SSA data recorded
8
First SSA data recorded
0.00820

American States Popularity Rankings for Elena

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#332021#292022#322023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#232021#232022#172023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#762021#622022#582023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#452021#412022#362023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#442021#372022#452023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#752021#822022#902023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#712021#572022#692023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#262021#312022#272023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#652021#842022#1142023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#702021#592022#742023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#782021#612022#642023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#592021#442022#432023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#522021#692022#612023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#642021#782022#562023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#662021#1002022#682023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#502021#422022#522023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#652021#542022#832023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#432021#392022#262023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#722021#762022#572023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#692021#962022#1012023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#782021#1102022#1282023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#552021#582022#472023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#492021#552022#582023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#1002021#882022#752023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#1082021#1092022#712023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#772021#832022#732023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#432021#282022#282023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#452021#622022#352023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#602021#972022#1012023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#1992021#1032022#1172023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#832021#772022#822023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#1102021#882022#822023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#842021#1332022#912023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#902021#1012022#1702023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#572021#782022#722023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#282021#482022#602023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#902021#572022#372023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#172021#402022#612023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#432021#612022#1112023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#832021#1252022#552023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#482021#402022#462023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#732021#1712022#642023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#3472021#1592022#2412023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#552021#482022#1122023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#1232021#1502022#1522023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#972020#1052021#822022

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1162018#1332019#792020

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1142021#1252022#1632023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1322020#782021#2172023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#522017#432022#852023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1431990#762012#642022

Popularity Rankings for Elena in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Romania

Romania flagRomania#32021#32022#32023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#72020#32021#62022

Popularity in Croatia

Croatia flagCroatia#122021#122022#102023

Popularity in Bulgaria

Bulgaria flagBulgaria#102020#102022

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#112020#172021#162022

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#172020#202021#182022

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#222021#232022#212023

Popularity in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan flagKazakhstan#231995#231996#291997

Popularity in Italy

Italy flagItaly#262020#292021#292022

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#322020#332021#312022

Popularity in Spain

Spain flagSpain#322020#352021#392022

Popularity in Uruguay

Uruguay flagUruguay#492021#332022#452023

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#402019#412020#382021

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#582013#482014#392015

Popularity in Hungary

Hungary flagHungary#682021#602022#412023

Popularity in Galicia, Spain

Galicia, Spain flagGalicia, Spain#422012#472013#462014

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#472021#452022#512023

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#532020#542021#482022

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#652021#682022#712023

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#702021#712022#682023

Popularity in Basque Country, Spain

Basque Country, Spain flagBasque Country, Spain#682020#932021#902022

Popularity in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina flagBosnia and Herzegovina#732020#712021#712022

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico flagMexico#722020#742021

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#852021#852022#922023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#1492021#1162022#1632023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#1602021#1182022#1562023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#1202021#1432022#1232023

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#1252021#1222022#1332023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#1342019#1402020#1522021

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#1902021#1352022#1712023

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland flagIceland#1502021#2972022#3912023

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#1672022#1732023

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Elena a Name for Boys or Girls?

The name Elena is recognized as a feminine name in many cultures and languages.

Elena has a strong presence in Christian contexts, with historical figures and saints bearing the name, contributing to its widespread use.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Elena

Elena in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places