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

Popularity of Jelena by gender

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

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 38 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Jelena.

The history of the first name Jelena

The name Jelena originated from the Slavic languages, derived from the Greek name Helena, which itself comes from the Greek word "helene" meaning "bright" or "shining light." The earliest known use of the name dates back to the 4th century BCE, when it was mentioned in Greek mythology as the name of the beautiful Helen of Troy, whose abduction sparked the Trojan War.

In the Byzantine Empire, the name Helena was widely used among the nobility and royalty, and it later spread to the Slavic regions through the influence of Christianity. The Slavic variation, Jelena, became popular in countries such as Russia, Serbia, Croatia, and Bulgaria.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Jelena comes from the 11th century, when Princess Jelena of Serbia, the wife of King Mihailo I, was known for her influential role in the spread of Christianity and the construction of churches and monasteries in medieval Serbia.

In the 12th century, Grand Princess Yelena Vsevolodovna of Vladimir-Suzdal was a prominent figure in Kievan Rus', known for her patronage of the arts and her support of the Orthodox Church. She was born in 1182 and died in 1243.

Another notable Jelena was Jelena Anjou, the Queen of Hungary from 1235 to 1238. She was born in 1236 and played a significant role in the political affairs of the Kingdom of Hungary during her brief reign.

In the 14th century, Jelena Gruba, a Serbian princess, was the wife of Tsar Ivan Alexander of Bulgaria. She was born in 1347 and was known for her involvement in the cultural and religious life of the Bulgarian Empire.

During the Renaissance period, Jelena Lukić-Orlović, a Serbian noblewoman and writer, was a prominent figure in the literary circles of her time. She was born in 1585 and is considered one of the earliest female writers in Serbian literature.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who bore the name Jelena, a name that has transcended borders and cultures, carrying with it a rich history and cultural significance from its ancient Greek roots to its Slavic adaptations.

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

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

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