Declining since 2005, #1,981 for girls today.
Popularity of Elana since 1934
Babies named Elana per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 6 |
| 1940s | 163 |
| 1950s | 204 |
| 1960s | 879 |
| 1970s | 953 |
| 1980s | 1,332 |
| 1990s | 1,494 |
| 2000s | 1,762 |
| 2010s | 1,471 |
| 2020s | 645 |
Meaning & origin
Elana first appeared on U.S. records in 1934, but saw its highest usage in 2004 before beginning a gradual decline. As of 2025, it ranks 1,981st with about 1 in 16,570 newborn girls receiving the name. Its trajectory has been falling since 2005. The name is most common in Georgia, Illinois, and North Carolina. Elana offers a streamlined spelling of the classic Elena, appealing to parents seeking a familiar yet slightly less common alternative.
Elana is a variant of Elena, itself a form of Helen, from the Greek Helene, a name of uncertain etymology. It is commonly associated with helios, meaning "sun," giving the meaning "bright, shining light" or "torch." The name has been used across various cultures, often as a respelling of Elena or Alana.
Where Elana is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Elana” around the world
Where Elana lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Quebec
7
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lana, Eli, Lanie
Sibling names for Elana
Names that share Elana's style, for a brother or sister.
