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HomeBaby Names DirectoryIlena

Ilena

♀ Girl

Pronounced ee-LEH-nah /iˈlɛ.nɑ/Medium

Meaning: A form of Ileana/Elena — from the Greek Helen, 'a bright, shining light; a torch'; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: A bright, shining light: Ilena is a form of Ileana/Elena. Lyrical, classic, and warm (said 'ee-LEH-nah').
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Origin LowRomanian, Greek
MeaningA form of Ileana/Elena — from the Greek Helen, 'a bright, shining light; a torch'; routes layered
U.S. rank (2025)#6948 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births16 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2008
Total births (all-time)≈ 702

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200819152025

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

Ilena is a form of Ileana/Elena — from the Greek Helen, 'a bright, shining light; a torch' (routes layered, which we note). A lyrical, classic name (said 'ee-LEH-nah').

In the U.S. it appears in Romanian and Hispanic families. Rare, a-bright-shining-light at the root, and lyrical.

Did you know? Ileana/Elena comes from Helen, Greek 'a bright, shining light' — Ilena is a form of it, lyrical and classic (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'ee-LEH-nah').
Overall data confidence 32%
References — Ileana — routes layered

Variations

IleanaElenaIlene

Nicknames

Lena

Famous Bearers

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If you like Ilena…

Ileana— the source form
Elena— a kin form
Selena— a sound-neighbor -lena girls' name
Milena— a fellow -lena girls' name

Explore names like Ilena

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Ilena mean?

Ilena is a form of Ileana/Elena — Greek 'a bright, shining light' (from Helen); the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Ilena?

It's said ee-LEH-nah /il.n/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Ilena a boy or girl name?

Ilena is a girl's name.

How popular is Ilena?

Ilena is a very rare name in the U.S.

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