Eleina
A feminine name of Greek origin meaning "radiant sun" or "shining light".
Name Census estimates that about 445 living Americans carry the first name Eleina. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Eleina today is around 10 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Eleina births was 2021 (39 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Eleina. 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
445
~ 1 in 770,234 Americans
Peak year
2021
39 babies that year
Average age
10
years old
2024 SSA rank
#5,042
Tracked since 1999
Popularity
Eleina: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Eleina from the 1990s through to the 2020s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 214 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Eleina remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Eleina 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 Eleina during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Eleinas live
Origin
Meaning and history of Eleina
The name Eleina is believed to have its roots in the ancient Greek language, originating around the 5th century BCE. It is derived from the Greek word "elaine," which means "olive tree" or "olive oil." In Greek mythology, the olive tree held great significance as a symbol of peace, wisdom, and abundance.
During the classical period of ancient Greece, the name Eleina was popularly used among the aristocratic families of Athens and other city-states. One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name can be found in the writings of the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, who lived in the 5th century BCE.
In the Byzantine era, which spanned from the 4th to the 15th century CE, the name Eleina gained popularity among the Christian communities of the Eastern Roman Empire. It was often given to young girls as a tribute to the Virgin Mary, who was associated with the olive tree and its symbolism of purity and fertility.
One notable figure in history who bore the name Eleina was Eleina of Antioch, a 4th-century Christian martyr who was executed during the reign of Emperor Diocletian for refusing to renounce her faith. Her story is recounted in various early Christian writings and hagiographies.
Another prominent Eleina in history was Eleina Ducas, a Byzantine noble and the wife of the Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos, who ruled from 1081 to 1118 CE. She played a significant role in the political affairs of the empire during her husband's reign.
In the 13th century, an Italian noblewoman named Eleina Grimaldi became renowned for her philanthropic efforts and her advocacy for the poor and disadvantaged. She is remembered for establishing various charitable institutions in Genoa, Italy.
During the Renaissance period, the name Eleina gained popularity among the aristocratic families of Italy and Spain. One notable figure was Eleina de' Medici, a member of the powerful Medici family of Florence, who lived in the 15th century and was known for her patronage of the arts and her support of renowned artists such as Botticelli and Michelangelo.
Another historical figure with the name Eleina was Eleina of Aragon, a Spanish princess who lived in the 16th century and was renowned for her knowledge of classical literature and her support for intellectual pursuits.
People
Eleina + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Eleina 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
Eleina: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Eleina?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 445 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Eleina 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 770,234 US residents.
Is Eleina a common name?
We classify Eleina as "Very Rare". It ranks above 83.4% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 449 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Eleina most popular?
The single biggest year for Eleina was 2021, when 39 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Eleina is about 10 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Eleina a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Eleina 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.