Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Elana

Elana

♀ Girl

Pronounced eh-LAY-nə /ˈɛ.lan/High

Meaning: TorchMedium

In 30 seconds: Elana is an English girl's name meaning 'torch.' It sits in the wide Elena and Helen family of light-related names.
💕 Browse more names
Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningTorch
U.S. rank (2025)#1982 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births97 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2006
Total births (all-time)≈ 8,906

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200619342025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Elana is given the meaning 'torch,' linking it to Helen and its many descendants, where the idea of light and a bright flame runs through. It moves easily between spellings like Elena, Elaina, Elayna, Alayna, and Alana. The soft three-syllable shape keeps it gentle.

Its flowing vowels give it a warm, melodic sound shared with its close relatives. The Israeli actress Elana Eden and the South African runner Elana Meyer are among its bearers.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Elana is 'torch', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Elana — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

ElenaElaynaElainaAlaynaAlana

Nicknames

—

Famous Bearers

  • ★Elana Eden (1940–present)
    Female public figure listed on Behind the Name.
  • ★Elana Meyer (1966–present)
    Female public figure listed on Behind the Name.

If you like Elana…

Elena— A primary variant of Elana, sharing the light-and-torch sense from Helen.
Elaina— A spelling variant of Elana listed in its variation set.
Elayna— Another listed variant of Elana with the same flowing sound.
Alana— A close relative in Elana's variation list with a matching rhythm.
Alayna— A variant of Elana sharing its soft three-syllable shape.

Explore names like Elana

By themeenglish

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Elana mean?

Elana is usually explained as meaning 'torch' and is most often linked with English tradition.

How do you pronounce Elana?

It's commonly said eh-LAY-nə /ˈɛ.lan/.

Is Elana a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Elana is used as a girl name.

How popular is Elana?

In 2024, Elana ranked #1879 in the U.S. for girls, with 106 births recorded.

💬 Ask Nia