Rising since 1985, #1,299 for girls today.
Popularity of Elayna since 1958
Babies named Elayna per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 10 |
| 1960s | 70 |
| 1970s | 51 |
| 1980s | 168 |
| 1990s | 471 |
| 2000s | 1,373 |
| 2010s | 2,044 |
| 2020s | 1,064 |
Meaning & origin
Elayna is a modern English name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1958. Its popularity has been rising steadily since 1985, peaking in 2014. The name reached its highest rank of 1,299 in 2025, with about 1 in 9,399 baby girls receiving the name. It has particularly strong usage in Kentucky, Missouri, and Wisconsin. Elayna likely started as a creative respelling of Elena or Alaina, reflecting a taste for melodic, feminine names with the popular -ayna suffix. Though its etymology is uncertain, the name conveys a graceful, contemporary feel.
Elayna is a modern English coinage that likely arose as a creative respelling of names like Elena (from Greek Helene, 'torch' or 'light') or Alaina (a Norman French diminutive of Alain, meaning 'little rock'). It first appeared in U.S. records in 1958, during a period of enthusiasm for distinctive -ayna endings. The name has steadily gained favor since the mid-1980s, reflecting a broader trend toward melodic, vowel-heavy names.
Where Elayna 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ela, Layna, Ellie, Lena
Sibling names for Elayna
Names that share Elayna's style, for a brother or sister.
