ELENA  (ee-LAY-na)

Gender: F
Origin: Spanish variation of HELEN
Meaning: "bright, shining one"

Popularity in 2008: #211

The rising popularity of this name is undoubtedly due to its being "exotic lite".

Variations:
Eleena, Eleana, Elenka, Elenitsa, Elene, Elen, Elina, Eleen, Elenola, Elenoa, Elaina, Ellena, Lena, Elana, Elenna

Elena is being discussed in our message boards:

• How could I get to Lilou as a nn?
• How Important is following a sibset?
• Popular names you just don't 'get'.
• Help Me Guess the Name!
• narrowing my list...need help

Read Nameberry blog posts about Elena:

• IRISH NAMES NOW: What's doing in Dublin?
• RUSSIAN GIRLS' NAMES
• RUSSIAN BABY NAMES
• OPERATIC BABY NAMES
• GUINEVERE AND GARETH: BABY NAMES FROM CAMELOT