Holding steady, #10,917 for girls today.
Popularity of Elen since 1911
Babies named Elen per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2022, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Elen's real moment was 1911.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 48 |
| 1920s | 37 |
| 1930s | 11 |
| 1940s | 11 |
| 1950s | 14 |
| 1960s | 5 |
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 31 |
| 1990s | 30 |
| 2000s | 73 |
| 2010s | 83 |
| 2020s | 61 |
Meaning & origin
Elen is a Welsh form of Helen that is almost exclusively given to girls in the United States, though it remains rare. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1911, which is also its peak year in terms of rank. Since then, its use has remained consistently infrequent, with no significant revival in the 1910s or any later decade. In 2025, the name ranked 10,917th, placing it far outside the top 1,000. The name's rarity means it has never appeared in any top state lists for the U.S. Social Security data. Despite its low usage, Elen carries a strong cultural connection to Welsh heritage, making it a distinctive choice for families with Welsh roots.
Elen is a Welsh form of Helen, which itself comes from the Greek Helene. The name is found in Welsh mythology associated with Elen of the Hosts, a legendary figure in the Mabinogion. It has been used in Wales since the Middle Ages and remains a traditional name in Welsh-speaking communities.
“Elen” around the world
Where Elen lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Elen
Names that share Elen's style, for a brother or sister.
