Alena first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Alena has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Alena

A feminine name of Russian origin meaning "bright" or "shining".

Popularity of Alena by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Alena is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 338 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Alena.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 338
2022 0 383
2021 0 369
2020 0 414
2019 0 384
2018 0 377
2017 0 466
2016 0 471
2015 0 499
2014 0 465
2013 0 375
2012 0 374
2011 0 369
2010 0 384
2009 0 401
2008 0 445
2007 0 432
2006 0 431
2005 0 401
2004 0 406
2003 0 400
2002 0 333
2001 0 346
2000 0 321
1999 0 290
1998 0 280
1997 0 260
1996 0 258
1995 0 246
1994 0 205
1993 0 186
1992 0 172
1991 0 141
1990 0 157
1989 0 158
1988 0 118
1987 0 119
1986 0 120
1985 0 162
1984 0 91
1983 0 115
1982 0 133
1981 0 139
1980 0 151
1979 0 124
1978 0 112
1977 0 101
1976 0 95
1975 0 75
1974 0 88

The history of the first name Alena

The given name Alena has its origins in the Slavic languages, particularly Russian and Czech. It is a feminine form derived from the Greek name Helena, which means "bright" or "shining one." The name's roots can be traced back to ancient times, with variations found in various cultures and languages across Europe and the Middle East.

In ancient Greek mythology, Helena was the daughter of Zeus and Leda, renowned for her exceptional beauty, which ultimately led to the Trojan War. This legendary figure has been celebrated in numerous literary works, including Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, where she is portrayed as a central character.

The name Alena gained prominence in the Slavic regions during the Middle Ages, particularly in Russia and the Czech lands. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Russian Primary Chronicle, a historical text dating back to the 12th century, which mentions an Alena as the wife of Prince Vladimir the Great.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Alena. Alena Vránová (1932-2019) was a renowned Czech actress who gained international recognition for her performances in films such as The Firemen's Ball and Intimate Lighting. Alena Chmelařová (1924-2017) was a Czech writer and journalist known for her works exploring the lives of women in post-war Czechoslovakia.

In the realm of sports, Alena Vrzáňová (born 1963) is a former Czechoslovak gymnast who won multiple medals, including gold, at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. Alena Peterková (born 1945) is a former Czech tennis player who achieved success in both singles and doubles competitions, reaching the semifinals of the French Open and Wimbledon in the 1960s.

Another historical figure of note is Alena Kupčíková (1926-2004), a Czech painter and illustrator celebrated for her vibrant and imaginative works, which often depicted scenes from fairy tales and folklore.

While the name Alena has its roots in Slavic cultures, it has gained popularity globally, transcending linguistic and cultural boundaries. Its connection to ancient legends and its enduring presence throughout history have contributed to its lasting appeal and significance.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Alena was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Alena, please contact us.

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"Alena first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on October 31, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/alena-meaning-and-history/.

"Alena first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/alena-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 31 October, 2024

Alena first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/alena-meaning-and-history/.

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