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NamyLab

Yelena

female
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Bright; Shining"

Slavic form of Helen, ultimately Greek, commonly interpreted as bright or shining in later name glosses.

Themes:helenslavicbrightorthodox

Fact-checked by Lily Anderson

M.F.A. Creative Writing, Sarah LawrencePublished NovelistName Collection CuratorCreative Names Editor

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

Popularity History of Yelena

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#2497Ranked in 2024

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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
#2497

Yelena was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
+15

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

Yelena Nicknames

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

8 ideas
yely
Nickname
yele
Nickname
yie
Nickname
yy
Nickname
yo
Nickname
lena
Nickname
enay
Nickname
ye
Nickname

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Yelena mean?
Yelena means "Bright; Shining". Slavic form of Helen, ultimately Greek, commonly interpreted as bright or shining in later name glosses.
What is the origin of Yelena?
Yelena 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 Yelena?
According to the latest SSA data, Yelena is currently ranked #2497 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 Yelena a girl name?
Yelena 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 Yelena?
Popular nicknames for Yelena include yely, yele, yie, yy, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Yelena?
There are many names similar to Yelena in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginGreek, Russian
Syllables3
Length6 letters
US Rank#2497
Trend↑ Rising
Starts withY

Explore More Girl Names Like Yelena

Yelena 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.

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

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Yelena pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Yelena 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.