Girl · 71st of 30,306
Elena
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
103,247
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2024
Peak Popularity Year
4,567
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Elena stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Elena is a name of Greek origin, derived from 'Helenē,' meaning 'light' or 'shining one.' It evolved through various languages and remains popular in many cultures today. The name is associated with positive traits such as beauty and grace. It does not have direct biblical relevance.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/əˈleɪnə/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Elena is derived from the Greek name 'Helenē' (Ἑλένη), which is believed to be related to the Greek word 'helene,' meaning 'torch' or 'light.'
Meaning
Light, bright, shining one
Language Evolution
Helenē (Greek), Elena (Italian, Spanish), Helen (English), Elena (Russian, Bulgarian)
Historical Usage
The name Elena gained popularity in the Middle Ages, particularly in European countries, and has remained a common name throughout the centuries.
Variants & Derivatives
Helena, Elena, Alena, Elaine
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Elena is perceived as a classic and elegant name, often associated with beauty and grace, and is popular in various cultures.
Famous People
Elena Ferrante (Italian author), Elena Kagan (U.S. Supreme Court Justice), Elena Gilbert (fictional character from 'The Vampire Diaries')
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Rising
25-Year Trend:
Consistently Rising
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 4,567 peak births in 2024
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in New Mexico
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 7 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 6350th of 6773 | 7 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 8639th of 10718 | 13 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 7890th of 16616 | 60 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 19331st of 24088 | 13 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 23106th of 23106 | 5 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 496th of 9107 | 3,393 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 519th of 9204 | 3,304 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 485th of 12526 | 6,740 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 410th of 19264 | 8,414 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 354th of 27321 | 11,590 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 206th of 35406 | 25,375 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 71st of 30306 | 44,036 |