Elana first name popularity, history and meaning

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

Meaning of Elana

A feminine given name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has answered".

Popularity of Elana by gender

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

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 95 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Elana.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 95
2022 0 113
2021 0 123
2020 0 108
2019 0 123
2018 0 135
2017 0 127
2016 0 148
2015 0 147
2014 0 172
2013 0 135
2012 0 181
2011 0 135
2010 0 164
2009 0 134
2008 0 163
2007 0 183
2006 0 219
2005 0 179
2004 0 214
2003 0 186
2002 0 151
2001 0 172
2000 0 161
1999 0 165
1998 0 153
1997 0 133
1996 0 159
1995 0 168
1994 0 149
1993 0 155
1992 0 146
1991 0 131
1990 0 135
1989 0 136
1988 0 148
1987 0 123
1986 0 142
1985 0 149
1984 0 130
1983 0 137
1982 0 126
1981 0 118
1980 0 123
1979 0 116
1978 0 119
1977 0 105
1976 0 87
1975 0 103
1974 0 110

The history of the first name Elana

The name Elana has its origins in the Hebrew language and culture, dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Hebrew name Elana, which means "oak tree" or "tall tree." The name is a variant of the more common Hebrew name Elana, with a slightly different spelling.

In the Bible, the name Elana is not explicitly mentioned, but it shares a root with the Hebrew word "elon," which refers to an oak tree. Oak trees were revered in ancient Israelite culture and were often associated with strength, endurance, and longevity.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Elana can be found in the Talmud, a central text of Rabbinic Judaism. The Talmud mentions a woman named Elana who lived in the 4th century CE and was renowned for her wisdom and knowledge of Jewish law.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Elana. One of the earliest was Elana of Narni (1370-1459), an Italian mystic and saint who is revered in the Roman Catholic Church for her visions and spiritual teachings.

Another famous Elana was Elana Ferrante (1544-1634), an Italian Renaissance poet and writer who was celebrated for her lyrical works and was a prominent figure in the literary circles of her time.

In more recent history, Elana Meyer (born 1966) is a South African former long-distance runner and Olympic medalist. She won numerous titles and broke several world records during her athletic career.

Elana Kagan (born 1960) is an American lawyer and jurist who currently serves as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. She was nominated by President Barack Obama and took office in 2010.

Elana Dykewomon (born 1949) is an American author and activist known for her contributions to lesbian literature and her advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. She has written several novels and short stories exploring themes of identity, community, and social justice.

These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Elana, a name that has endured and carried various cultural and historical significances across different eras and regions.

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 Elana was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

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

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

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

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.