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

Popularity of Elka by gender

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

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 14 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Elka.

The history of the first name Elka

The name Elka is of Slavic origin, primarily associated with the Czech and Slovak languages. It is a diminutive form of the name Elena, which itself derives from the Greek name Helene, meaning "bright one" or "shining light."

Elka gained popularity in the early medieval period, particularly in regions of modern-day Czech Republic and Slovakia. The name's earliest known usage can be traced back to the 9th century, when it appeared in various historical records and documents from the region.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Elka was a noblewoman from the Kingdom of Bohemia, who lived in the 11th century. She was known for her patronage of the arts and her support for the construction of several churches and monasteries.

In the 13th century, Elka Přemyslovna, a member of the Přemyslid dynasty that ruled Bohemia, gained recognition for her charitable works and her efforts to promote education among the common people.

During the Renaissance period, the name Elka was associated with several prominent female artists and writers. Elka Měšťanská, born in 1502, was a renowned Czech poet and playwright, whose works were widely celebrated for their lyrical beauty and cultural significance.

In the 19th century, Elka Krásná, a Czech painter and art teacher, made significant contributions to the development of modern art education in her country. She was born in 1822 and is remembered for her vibrant portraiture and landscape paintings.

Another notable figure with the name Elka was Elka Čapková, a Czech writer and translator who lived from 1890 to 1968. She was widely respected for her translations of works by renowned authors such as Leo Tolstoy and Ivan Turgenev, and her own literary works focused on themes of social justice and women's rights.

While the name Elka has its roots in the Slavic region, it has also been adopted and adapted in other cultures over time, reflecting the global influence and interconnectedness of names and their histories.

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

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

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