Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Yelena
GirlRussian, Greek· “Russian form of Helen”
- Meaning
- Russian form of Helen
- Origin
- Russian, Greek
- Pronunciation
- yeh-LAY-nuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #1,807
- US babies 2025
- 112
- Best rank
- #1,504 (2022)
- Peak year
- 2022
Meaning and origin of Yelena
Yelena is a Russian and Greek name that means “Russian form of Helen”.
Yelena is the Russian form of Helen, a name from Greek Helene whose meaning is uncertain; it has long been linked to the word for torch or light, but that connection is not settled. The name came to Russia through the Orthodox Church, honoring Saint Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine. It is said yeh-LAY-nuh, with the stress on the second syllable, and it is sometimes written Elena or Jelena in other Slavic languages. Russian nicknames include Lena and Lenochka. In English-speaking countries it has a cultured, international feel, close to Elena and Alina.
Popularity over time
Yelena first appears in US Social Security records in 1961. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,504 in 2022, the same year it reached its highest count of 145 babies. In 2025, 112 babies were named Yelena, and it ranked #1,807 nationally. That is 187% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #10,380 in 1980, #4,521 in 2000, #3,811 in 2010, and #1,807 in 2025. Of the 1,626 US girls named Yelena since records began, 30% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 480 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Kapri, Aiza, Nila, Zya, and Ziya.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Yelena ranked highest in Texas, Arizona, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | #1034 | 28 |
| Arizona | #1035 | 6 |
| California | #1275 | 20 |
| New York | #2414 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Yelena is usually pronounced yeh-LAY-nuh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with Y and ends in “-na”.
Middle names for Yelena
A few middle names that flow with Yelena: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Yelena
Similar names
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Illiana Girl
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Elena Girl
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uh-THEE-nuh
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Elaina Girl
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Melina Girl
meh-LEE-nuh
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Elina Girl
eh-LEE-nuh
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Lists that include Yelena
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Yelena mean?
Yelena is a Russian and Greek name that means “Russian form of Helen”.
What is the origin of the name Yelena?
Yelena has Russian and Greek roots. Yelena is the Russian form of Helen, a name from Greek Helene whose meaning is uncertain; it has long been linked to the word for torch or light, but that connection is not settled.
Is Yelena a popular name?
Not especially. Yelena ranked #1,807 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Yelena a boy or girl name?
Yelena is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Yelena?
Yelena is usually pronounced yeh-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