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Girl

Elena

Shining light, torch

Origin

Greek

Used in

itesendero

Popularity

#19 in the Italian baby-name ranking

Origin and meaning of Elena

Elena comes from the Greek Helénē, traditionally tied to the idea of 'shining, radiant' and to the word for 'torch'. Made immortal by the beauty of Helen of Troy, the name weaves together myth, light and allure. It is widespread across Europe — Italy, Spain, Greece, Germany — and in Russia as Elena/Yelena. Elegant and timeless, it remains one of the best-loved classic girls' names, crossing eras and borders with ease.

Variants around the world

How Elena sounds in other languages.

HelenaHelenYelenaEleniElaine

Famous people

  • Sant'Elena— saint
  • Elena Cornaro Piscopia— philosopher

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Frequently asked questions

What does the name Elena mean?

The name Elena means Shining light, torch.

What is the origin of the name Elena?

Origin of Elena: Greek.

What are the international variants of the name Elena?

International variants of Elena: Helena, Helen, Yelena, Eleni, and Elaine.