Elena

♀ Girl

Pronounced eh-LAY-nuh /ɛˈleɪnə/High

Meaning: Bright, shining one; torch — variant of Helen, from Greek HeleneHigh

In 30 seconds: A luminous Greek classic meaning 'shining one,' the Slavic and Spanish form of Helen. Elena has entered the U.S. top 50, loved for its soft elegance across multiple cultures.

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Origin HighGreek

MeaningBright, shining one; torch — variant of Helen, from Greek Helene

Peak year2017

Total births (all-time)≈ 73,997

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Elena is a Romance and Slavic variant of Helen, derived from the Greek Helene, associated with the root helios (sun) or selene (moon), and generally interpreted as 'bright, shining one' or 'torch.' Helen of Troy, whose legendary beauty launched the Trojan War in Greek mythology, made this root name famous across the ancient world.

While Helen was long dominant in English, Elena became increasingly popular in the U.S. through the 1990s and 2000s, reflecting both the influence of Spanish-speaking communities (where Elena has always been common) and a broader taste for the softer sound of the -a ending. It entered the U.S. top 50 around 2015.

Did you know? Elena is one of the most widespread European name forms, recognized in Spanish, Italian, Slavic, and Scandinavian languages — giving it a rare, truly international quality.

Variations

HelenElinaEleanorEleni

Nicknames

EllieNellLena

Famous Bearers

★Elena Ferrante (unknown–)
Italian novelist known for the Neapolitan series; writes under a pseudonym.

If you like Elena…

Eleanor— longest and most formal cousin in the El- family of names

Eliana— fellow elegant -ana ending girls' name with similar sound

Isabelle— similarly soft, romantic European classic with multilingual appeal

Frequently Asked

What does the name Elena mean?

Elena is a Greek name meaning 'bright, shining one' or 'torch,' a variant of Helen from the Greek Helene.

How do you pronounce Elena?

It's most commonly said eh-LAY-nuh /ɛˈleɪnə/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Elena a boy or girl name?

Elena is used exclusively as a girls' name.

How popular is Elena?

Elena ranks in the U.S. top 50 girls' names, with strong appeal across Hispanic and non-Hispanic communities.