Elena is a feminine given name of Greek origin. It is derived from the Greek word "helene," which means "torch" or "sunray." In Greek mythology, Elena was the daughter of Zeus and Leda, and she was famously abducted by Paris, leading to the Trojan War.
The name Elena has been popular throughout history and across various cultures. It was the name of several prominent historical figures, such as Saint Helena, who was said to have discovered the true cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. In Russia, Elena has been a traditional name for centuries, with many tsarinas bearing this name.
The name Elena is also used in other languages and cultures. In Italian, it is pronounced "Eh-LEH-nah," while in Spanish, it is pronounced "eh-LEH-nah." In Hungarian, the name is translated as "Héléná," and in Serbian, it is spelled "Elena."
In literature and art, Elena has been a popular character name. Some famous examples include Elena of Troy from Homer's Iliad, and Elena Gilbert from the Vampire Diaries book series by L.J. Smith.
Overall, the name Elena has a rich history and cultural significance, making it a beloved choice for parents looking to give their daughter a timeless and meaningful name.
The name Elena has seen varying levels of popularity over the years in the United States. Between 1932 and 2017, there were a total of 98 babies named Elena.
The highest peak in popularity for the name occurred in 1989 with 12 births that year. This was a significant increase from the previous year, which had only 7 births. However, this high point was not sustained and the number of births decreased to 5 in both 1990 and 1993.
After a low point in the late 90s and early 2000s with only 6 or 7 births each year, the name Elena saw a slight resurgence in popularity. Between 2004 and 2005, there were 7 births each year, indicating that the name was still being chosen for babies during this time.
More recently, in 2017, there were only 5 births with the name Elena. This suggests that the name may be trending towards less popularity again, although it is difficult to predict future trends based on such a small sample size.
Overall, while the name Elena has had its ups and downs in terms of popularity over the years, it remains a relatively uncommon name in the United States.