Elena

Fact-checked by Rebekah Wahlberg

Written by Blake Bakkila

In this article

Elena name meaning and origin

What does Elena mean?

"Sunbeam" or "ray"

Elena name origins:

Greek, Italian, and Spanish

Elena is the Italian and Spanish form of the name Helen, which has Greek origins. The name has uncertain meaning, but is thought to be tied to a Greek word meaning "sunbeam" or "ray," by way of helios, which means "sun."

Different versions and pronunciations of the name Elena are found all over the world. Helene, Ellen, and Elaine are just a few variations of the name. There are quite a few nickname opportunities as well, including Lena, Ellie, and Ella.

The name Elena has held strong in the top 1,000 girls' names in the United States since 1900, according to the Social Security Administration. It reached peak popularity in 2022, when it ranked No. 49.

Sources:

Hanks P., et al. 2016. A Dictionary of First Names. Oxford University Press. https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780198610601.001.0001/acref-9780198610601-e-7231?rskey=DnCGGq&result=2101

U.S. Social Security Administration. Undated. Popular Baby Names. https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/

Popularity over time

Data not available

Elena in pop culture

Elena Cañero-Reed

Protagonist in the Disney TV series Diary of a Future President, played by Tess Romero

Elena Castillo Flores

Protagonist in the Disney TV animated series Elena of Avalor, voiced by Aimee Carrero

Elena Fisher

Character in the Uncharted video game series, voiced by Emily Rose

Elena Gilbert

Protagonist in the novels and TV series The Vampire Diaries, played by Nina Dobrev

Elena Greco

Protagonist and narrator in the Neapolitan Novels by Elena Ferrante

Elena Montero

Character in the 1998 film The Mask of Zorro, portrayed by Catherine Zeta-Jones

Elena Tyler

Felicity's best friend in the TV series Felicity, portrayed by Tangi Miller

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Famous people named Elena

Elena Anaya

Goya award-winning Spanish actress

Elena Delle Donne

American professional basketball player for the Washington Mystics

Elena Ferrante

Pseudonymous Italian novelist best known for her series Neapolitan Novels

Elena Kagan

Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States

Elena Rybakina

Kazakhstani professional tennis player who won Wimbledon in 2022

Elena Vesnina

Russian former professional tennis player who was once ranked number one in doubles with partner Ekaterina Makarova

Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo

Daughter of Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía of Spain

Names similar to Elena

like Elena? What about:

Common sibling names

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Baby name lists including Elena

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