Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Alena
GirlCzech, Slavic· “short form of Helena or Magdalena”
- Meaning
- short form of Helena or Magdalena
- Origin
- Czech, Slavic
- Pronunciation
- uh-LAY-nuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #707
- US babies 2025
- 398
- Best rank
- #596 (2015)
- Peak year
- 2015
Meaning and origin of Alena
Alena is a Czech and Slavic name that is usually said to mean “short form of Helena or Magdalena”.
Alena is a Czech, Slovak and Russian short form of names such as Helena and Magdalena. Helena comes from the Greek Helene, whose meaning is uncertain, and Magdalena refers to Mary Magdalene, "of Magdala," a town in Galilee. Alena is a full given name in Central and Eastern Europe and has also been adopted in English, where it may be seen as a variant of Alaina or Elena. It has a gentle, flowing sound and a European flavor. Lena and Ally are easy nicknames. The name is short, simple and easy to spell.
Popularity over time
Alena first appears in US Social Security records in 1891. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 36 different years, starting in 1898. Its best national rank was #596 in 2015, the same year it reached its highest count of 499 babies. In 2025, 398 babies were named Alena, and it ranked #707 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #1,666 in 1920, #2,536 in 1950, #982 in 1980, #723 in 2000, #727 in 2010, and #707 in 2025. Of the 16,014 US girls named Alena since records began, 26% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 3,917 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Monserrat, Laylah, Addilynn, Kimber, and Aranza.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Alena ranked highest in Idaho, Louisiana, and Arizona.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Alena is usually pronounced uh-LAY-nuh, with three syllables. It has five letters, starts with A and ends in “-na”.
Middle names for Alena
A few middle names that flow with Alena: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Alena
Similar names
Milena Girl
mih-LEH-nuh
“gracious, dear” · Slavic
#950
Alina Girl
uh-LEE-nuh
“short form of Adelina, 'noble'” · Germanic
#130
Ivana Girl
ih-VAH-nuh
“God is gracious” · Slavic
#1,102
Kalina Girl
kuh-LEE-nuh
“viburnum shrub” · Slavic
#1,566
Brianna Girl
bree-AN-uh
“feminine of Brian” · Irish
#222
Athena Girl
uh-THEE-nuh
Greek
#109
Ximena Girl
hee-MEH-nuh
“possibly from Simon, 'he has heard'” · Spanish
#183
Alana Girl
uh-LAN-uh
“feminine form of Alan” · Breton
#140
Alaina Girl
uh-LAY-nuh
“feminine form of Alan” · Breton
#224
Julianna Girl
joo-lee-AN-uh
“from Julius, possibly 'youthful'” · Latin
#398
Elliana Girl
el-ee-AH-nuh
“my God has answered” · Hebrew
#139
Alayna Girl
uh-LAY-nuh
“modern spelling of Alaina” · American (modern coinage)
#332
Lists that include Alena
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Alena mean?
Alena is a Czech and Slavic name that is usually said to mean “short form of Helena or Magdalena”.
What is the origin of the name Alena?
Alena has Czech, Slavic, and Russian roots. Alena is a Czech, Slovak and Russian short form of names such as Helena and Magdalena.
Is Alena a popular name?
Yes. Alena ranked #707 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Alena a boy or girl name?
Alena is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Alena?
Alena is usually pronounced uh-LAY-nuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings