Elena

The name Elena is a girl's name of Spanish, Italian, Greek origin meaning "bright, shining light".

Elena, a pan-European version of Helen, has roots in Spanish, Italian, Slavic, and Romanian, among others. Helen, the name from which it derives, came from the Greek word helene, meaning “torch.” Alternate spellings include Elaina, Ellena, and Alena.

Elena has never been as popular in the US as it is now thanks to the overall popularity of El- names. It's more exotic than Ellen or Eleanor, but still accessible. It is also ranking other countries as well—it is highly popular in Spain, where it is pronounced eh-LEH-na. In the US, the eh-LAY-na pronunciation has traditionally been more common.

A worthy namesake is Elena Kagan, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, the fourth female to hold that position. Pseudonymous Italian writer Elena Ferrante, author of the Neapolitan Novels, is another famous Elena. A fictional bearer is Elena Gilbert, protagonist of The Vampire Diaries. and Elena Lincoln is a character in Fifty Shades of Grey.