Yelena

Meaning: Uncertain; possibly shining light or torch
Origin: Greek — Russian form of Helen

Nicknames: Lena

Girl's name · #1807 in the US (2025) · Trending

Popularity over time

Yelena is moving up the charts. First recorded in 1961, it stood at #1807 in 2025; about 1,600 girls have been named Yelena along the way.

Across the states

See where Yelena is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 7 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Yelena ranks in other countries and regions.

#1,330 in Ecuador (2025) · #1,474 in France (2025) · #2,597 in Switzerland (2025) · #3,478 in Canada (2025) · #23,572 in Italy (2024) · #948 in Belgium (2024) · #5,892 in England & Wales (2024) · #891 in Netherlands (2022) · #3,749 in Austria (2019).

Famous Yelenas

Yelena Isinbayeva — Russian Olympic pole-vaulter (born 1982)
Yelena Bonner — Human rights activist in the Soviet Union (1923–2011)
Yelena Serova — Russian cosmonaut and politician (born 1976)
Yelena Slesarenko — Russian high jumper (born 1982)
Yelena Kondakova — Russian cosmonaut (born 1957)
Yelena Shushunova — Soviet Russian gymnast (1969–2018)

In stories & tradition

Yelena Belova — Marvel Comics character
Yelena Andreevna Serebryakova — Uncle Vanya

What Yelenas become

Among 612 notable people named Yelena:

Sports figures appear 1.88× more often than among typical names — e.g. Yelena Slesarenko, Russian high jumper (born 1982).

Spellings & nicknames

About 1,200 girls a year are given Lena as their full name.

Similar names: Helena · Hania · Ilyana · Senna · Astraea · Milena

Browse more girl names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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