Elena
Say it: eh-LAY-na
Girl5 letters3 syllables
#189
in Ireland (2025)
#192 with spellings combined
23
babies in 2025
#114
best rank (2024)
910
babies since 1967
Down 46
10-year rank change
Elena through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (girls) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 23 | #192 |
| 2024 | 42 | #114 |
| 2023 | 31 | #159 |
| 2022 | 44 | #118 |
| 2021 | 30 | #161 |
| 2020 | 41 | #127 |
| 2019 | 27 | #187 |
| 2018 | 41 | #138 |
| 2017 | 45 | #128 |
| 2016 | 42 | #140 |
| 2015 | 40 | #146 |
| 2014 | 51 | #117 |
| 2013 | 39 | #157 |
| 2012 | 35 | #168 |
| 2011 | 26 | #207 |
| 2010 | 28 | #205 |
| 2009 | 22 | #239 |
| 2008 | 27 | #206 |
| 2007 | 28 | #192 |
| 2006 | 24 | #191 |
| 2005 | 18 | #221 |
| 2004 | 15 | #242 |
| 2003 | 25 | #167 |
| 2002 | 18 | #208 |
| 2001 | 18 | #204 |
| 2000 | 12 | #261 |
| 1999 | 6 | #356 |
| 1998 | 8 | #293 |
| 1997 | 7 | #363 |
| 1996 | 9 | #316 |
| 1995 | 7 | #352 |
| 1994 | 3 | #502 |
| 1993 | 9 | #320 |
| 1992 | 7 | #364 |
| 1991 | 3 | #515 |
| 1988 | 7 | #359 |
| 1987 | 6 | #386 |
| 1986 | 7 | #356 |
| 1983 | 4 | #476 |
| 1982 | 3 | #523 |
| 1981 | 3 | #533 |
| 1980 | 3 | #542 |
| 1979 | 4 | #467 |
| 1976 | 4 | #429 |
| 1975 | 3 | #503 |
| 1973 | 3 | #508 |
| 1970 | 3 | #447 |
| 1969 | 4 | #393 |
| 1967 | 5 | #315 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Elena mean?
Uncertain, often linked with "torch" or "light"
Italian, Spanish and wider European form of Helen, from Greek Helene.
Say it right
ehLAYna
EL-en-a, with the stress on the first syllable, is also heard.
The story of Elena
Elena is the form of Helen used in Italian, Spanish, Romanian, Bulgarian and several other languages. It goes back to the Greek Helene. The meaning of Helene is not known for sure. It is often linked with Greek words for a torch or for light, which is why Elena is sometimes explained as “shining light”, but that link has never been proved.
The most famous Helen is Helen of Troy in Greek legend. The name was later carried across Europe by Saint Helena, the mother of the Roman emperor Constantine.
Elena first reached the CSO list in 1967 but stayed rare until the 2000s. It had the most babies in 2014, with 51 girls, and its best rank was number 114 in 2024. In 2025, 23 girls were named Elena. In Northern Ireland its best rank was 122nd, in 2017. The CSO counts Helena, Helen and Lena separately.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Elena (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Elena (given name)
- CSO VSA60, Girls Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Elena | 23 | 910 |
In Northern Ireland
#177 in 2025 with 10 babies. Best rank #122 (2017); 222 babies since 1998.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.