Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Elina
GirlFinnish, Greek· “form of Helen; meaning uncertain”
- Meaning
- form of Helen; meaning uncertain (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Finnish, Greek
- Pronunciation
- eh-LEE-nuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #764
- US babies 2025
- 355
- Best rank
- #764 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2024
Meaning and origin of Elina
Elina is often said to mean “form of Helen; meaning uncertain”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Finnish and Greek roots.
Elina is best known in Finland, where it has long been used as a form of Helen. Helen comes from the Greek Helene, whose meaning is uncertain; it has been linked to words for "torch" or "light," but scholars do not agree. The name spread through northern Europe with Christianity and the veneration of Saint Helena, mother of the emperor Constantine. In English-speaking countries it can also sound like a cousin of Eleanor or Alina. Elina has a clear, graceful sound with the stress on the middle syllable, and Ellie and Lina are easy nicknames.
Popularity over time
Elina first appears in US Social Security records in 1896. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 8 different years, starting in 2018. Its best national rank was #764 in 2025, and the most babies received it in 2024, when 358 were named Elina. In 2025, 355 babies were named Elina, and it ranked #764 nationally. That is 43% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #5,050 in 1980, #2,487 in 2000, #1,297 in 2010, and #764 in 2025. Of the 6,193 US girls named Elina since records began, 38% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 1,880 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Ivey, Soleil, Lettie, Stormi, and Neriah.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Elina ranked highest in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Washington.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | #413 | 7 |
| Massachusetts | #491 | 11 |
| Washington | #522 | 13 |
| California | #533 | 62 |
| Nevada | #546 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Elina is usually pronounced eh-LEE-nuh, with three syllables. It has five letters, starts with E and ends in “-na”.
Middle names for Elina
A few middle names that flow with Elina: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Elina
Similar names
Athena Girl
uh-THEE-nuh
Greek
#109
Elaina Girl
ih-LAY-nuh
“form of Helen; often said to mean torch” · Greek
#267
Helena Girl
HEH-luh-nuh
“uncertain; possibly torch or light” · Greek
#363
Melina Girl
meh-LEE-nuh
“possibly honey” · Greek
#660
Iliana Girl
il-ee-AH-nuh
“uncertain; possibly from Ilion or Helen” · Greek
#730
Georgina Girl
jawr-JEE-nuh
“farmer” · Greek
#689
Elena Girl
eh-LAY-nuh
“form of Helen; meaning uncertain” · Greek
#42
Selena Girl
suh-LEE-nuh
“moon” · Greek
#268
Christina Girl
krihs-TEE-nuh
“follower of Christ” · Latin
#770
Leona Girl
lee-OH-nuh
“lion” · Latin
#429
Aryana Girl
ahr-ee-AH-nuh
“variant of Ariana; origin uncertain” · Persian
#2,101
Ariadna Girl
ah-ree-AHD-nah
“most holy (form of Ariadne)” · Spanish
#1,417
Lists that include Elina
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Elina mean?
Elina is often said to mean “form of Helen; meaning uncertain”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Finnish and Greek roots.
What is the origin of the name Elina?
Elina has Finnish and Greek roots. Elina is best known in Finland, where it has long been used as a form of Helen.
Is Elina a popular name?
Yes. Elina ranked #764 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Elina a boy or girl name?
Elina is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Elina?
Elina is usually pronounced eh-LEE-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