MallowbyNames

Ellene

EL-een · of uncertain origin; possibly a variant of Helen or a feminine form of Allen

Peak popularity
1925
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Ellene since 1907

Babies named Ellene per year in U.S. Social Security records.

122436192019602000Most births 1925Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1900s12
1910s152
1920s248
1930s162
1940s160
1950s84
1960s52
1970s0
1980s0
1990s0
2000s0
2010s5
2020s0

Meaning & origin

Ellene is a rare feminine name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1907. Its peak came in 1925, during the 1920s when similar variants like Helen and Ellen were highly popular. Despite its historical dip, the name has maintained a stable trajectory in recent years, though it has never returned to the charts. The name's uncertain origin adds to its mysterious appeal, and its similarity to established names like Helen and Ellen gives it a familiar yet distinctive feel. Given that its highest recorded usage was nearly a century ago, Ellene remains a true rarity today.

Ellene is a rare given name believed to be a variant of Helen or a feminine form of Allen. Helen derives from Greek Helene, possibly meaning 'torch' or 'moon', while Allen is of Celtic origin meaning 'little rock' or 'harmony'. The name Ellene appears sporadically in English-speaking countries with no strong historical or literary tradition.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Ellie, Lena

Variants: Eleen, Eline, Ellen

Sibling names for Ellene

Names that share Ellene's style, for a brother or sister.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

E is for Ellene, our favorite little girl.

E is for Ellene…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Ellene's letter becomes Ellene's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Ellene's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Ellene mean?
The meaning of Ellene is uncertain. It may be a variant of Helen, meaning 'torch' or 'moon', or a feminine form of Allen, meaning 'little rock' or 'harmony'.
How popular is the name Ellene currently?
Ellene has not ranked in the top 1000 U.S. names in recent years. Its peak popularity was in 1925, and it has since become very rare.
Is Ellene a boy or girl name?
Ellene is predominantly a feminine name.