Elania
Feminine name of Greek origin meaning "shining sun".
Name Census estimates that about 176 living Americans carry the first name Elania. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Elania today is around 18 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Elania births was 2017 (14 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Elania. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
176
~ 1 in 1,947,468 Americans
Peak year
2017
14 babies that year
Average age
18
years old
2022 SSA rank
#14,057
Tracked since 1977
Popularity
Elania: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Elania from the 1970s through to the 2020s, spanning 6 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 80 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 2010s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Elania by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Elania during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Elania
The name Elania is derived from the Greek word "helios," meaning "sun." It is believed to have originated in ancient Greece during the classical period, around the 5th century BCE. The name was likely used to honor the Greek sun god, Helios, who was revered for his power and importance in Greek mythology.
In ancient Greek texts, the name Elania is sometimes mentioned in connection with religious ceremonies and rituals dedicated to Helios. It is thought that some families may have given their daughters this name as a way to honor the sun god and seek his blessings.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Elania can be found in the writings of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, who lived from around 428 BCE to 348 BCE. In his work "The Republic," Plato mentions a character named Elania, though details about this individual are scarce.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Elania. One such person was Elania of Antioch, a Christian martyr who lived in the 3rd century CE. She was reportedly killed during the persecution of Christians under the Roman Emperor Diocletian.
Another notable Elania was Elania Cornaro, a Venetian noblewoman who lived in the 15th century CE. She was the wife of the King of Cyprus, James II, and played a significant role in the political affairs of the island.
In the 16th century, there was an Italian painter named Elania Sirani, who was born in 1638 and died in 1665. She was known for her religious paintings and was one of the few female artists to achieve recognition during the Renaissance period.
During the Byzantine era, there was a princess named Elania Kantakouzene, who lived in the 14th century CE. She was the daughter of the Byzantine Emperor John VI Kantakouzenos and played a role in the political and religious affairs of the Byzantine Empire.
Another notable Elania was Elania Baroni, an Italian opera singer who lived in the 17th century. She was born in 1636 and was renowned for her performances in various operas across Europe.
While the name Elania has ancient Greek roots and has been used throughout history, it is relatively uncommon in modern times. However, its connection to the sun and its historical significance make it a unique and intriguing name with a rich cultural heritage.
People
Elania + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Elania as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with E
Other first names starting with E with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Elania: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Elania?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 176 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Elania going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,947,468 US residents.
Is Elania a common name?
We classify Elania as "Very Rare". It ranks above 72.5% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 180 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Elania most popular?
The single biggest year for Elania was 2017, when 14 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Elania is about 18 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Elania a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Elania in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.