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NamyLab

Elena

female
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Bright, Shining Light"

From Greek Helen-related forms, it conveys brightness and circulated widely through Spanish, Italian, and Eastern Christian naming traditions.

Themes:lightgreekromancefeminine
ClassicTraditionalTimeless

Fact-checked by Dr. Elena Vasquez

Ph.D. Medieval History, StanfordPublished Academic ResearcherHistory Professor (Adjunct) • Historical Names Consultant

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Elena

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#45Top 50

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#45

Elena was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
+2

better than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Elena Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Elena.

12 ideas
Elle
Nickname
Ellie
Nickname
Lena
Nickname
Leni
Nickname
eley
Nickname
elen
Nickname
lena
Nickname
enay
Nickname
el
Nickname
elenaie
Nickname
elenay
Nickname
elenao
Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Elena

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Elena, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

23 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Elena mean?
Elena means "Bright, Shining Light". From Greek Helen-related forms, it conveys brightness and circulated widely through Spanish, Italian, and Eastern Christ
What is the origin of Elena?
Elena is of Greek origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Elena?
According to the latest SSA data, Elena is currently ranked #45 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Elena a girl name?
Elena is traditionally a girl name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Elena?
Popular nicknames for Elena include Elle, Ellie, Lena, Leni, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Elena?
There are many names similar to Elena in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginGreek, Spanish, Italian
Syllables3
Length5 letters
US Rank#45
Trend↑ Rising
Starts withE

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Girl Names Like Elena

Elena has Greek roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Greek baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Elena appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Names That Mean Light and Timeless Classic Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Spanish Baby Names and Classic Greek Baby Names.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Elena pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Elena beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.