“Yelena is a Slavic variant of the name Helen, which has roots in Ancient Greek” — Associated with Yelena relates to light and brightness
Russia origin · Girl name
♂ 3% boys♀ 97% girls
#2512US 2023
71Births / yr
↓Falling
1.2kAll-time births
📅 Since 196100
How to pronounce Yelena
YEL·in·uh
/ˈjɛl.ɪn.ə/ · stress on YEL · 3 syllables
“Yelena is a Slavic variant of the name Helen, which has roots in Ancient Greek”
Associated with Yelena relates to light and brightness · Russia origin
What does Yelena mean and where does it come from?
Yelena is a Slavic variant of the name Helen, which has roots in Ancient Greek. The name has significance in various cultures and languages; it is particularly popular in Russia and Ukraine. The meaning associated with Yelena relates to light and brightness. Historically, many notable figures have b
Cultural significance
Yelena has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Russia-speaking communities, where it reflects values of russian.
Peak popularity
Reached #2478 in 2003 — currently #2512 in the US.
Falling — down 1009 spots — currently #2512 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
US Trend 1965–2023#2512 · Top 1.9%
1965
1980
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
2021
2022
2023
Year
US Rank
Births
vs Prior Year
2023
#2512
71
▼ down 1009 · -51% births
2022
#1503
145
▲ up 1277 · +134% births
2021
#2780
62
▲ up 1769 · +114% births
2020
#4549
29
▼ down 694 · -26% births
2015
#3855
39
▼ down 26 · -2% births
2010
#3829
40
▼ down 601 · -17% births
2005
#3228
48
▲ up 1211 · +78% births
2000
#4439
27
▲ up 649 · +42% births
1995
#5088
19
▲ up 1934 · +58% births
1990
#7022
12
▲ up 2546 · +100% births
1980
#9568
6
▼ down 3828 · -14% births
1965
#5740
7
—
Name Popularity Timeline
Popularity Statistics for Yelena
2022Rank #1503
145
#4509
↗Rising
1965 - 202312 years
The story of Yelena
Yelena is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 1961. With 1,160 total births recorded, Yelena remains relatively uncommon. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #5740 in 1965 to #2512 in 2023.
Yelena means "Russian" — a name rooted in Russia tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.
How popular is the name Yelena?
Yelena is currently a distinctive and less common name as a girl name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Yelena have increased significantly in recent years.
What is the cultural origin of Yelena?
Yelena originates from Russia tradition. Russia names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.
How do you pronounce the name Yelena?
Yelena is a three-syllable name pronounced Y EH1 L IH0 N AH0. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.
What sibling names go well with Yelena?
Yelena pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar Russia heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.
Sibling names that pair with Yelena
For a sister
Yelena & Kira♡
Yelena & Anya♡
Yelena & Nadia♡
Yelena & Jernya♡
For a brother
Yelena & Kira♡
Yelena & Nadia♡
Yelena & Natasha♡
Yelena & Rushon♡
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Worldwide ranking · 2023
Country
Rank
🇺🇸 USA
#2512
🇬🇧 UK
—
🇨🇦 Canada
—
🇦🇺 Australia
—
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