Declining since 2017, #4,987 for girls today.
Popularity of Jelena since 1959
Babies named Jelena per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 26 |
| 1970s | 102 |
| 1980s | 114 |
| 1990s | 216 |
| 2000s | 432 |
| 2010s | 537 |
| 2020s | 201 |
Meaning & origin
Jelena entered U.S. records in 1959, and its usage has fluctuated modestly. It reached a peak in 2017, since which it has been on a gradual decline, reflecting broader trends for less common Slavic names in English-speaking countries. The name is most concentrated in Florida and Texas, often among families with Eastern European heritage. While never breaking into the top 1000 nationally, it has maintained a steady, low-profile presence in the baby-naming landscape.
Jelena is a Slavic form of Helen, ultimately from Greek Helene, of uncertain etymology but traditionally associated with 'torch' or 'light.' It has been common across Eastern and Southern Europe, particularly in Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia. In the Orthodox tradition, it is associated with Saint Helena, mother of Constantine the Great.
Where Jelena is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Jelena” around the world
Where Jelena lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jela, Lena, Jeli
Sibling names for Jelena
Names that share Jelena's style, for a brother or sister.
