Jelena
Borrowed from Bulgarian, Macedonian, and Russian Еле́на (Jeléna) and Pannonian Rusyn Єлена (Jelena), from Latin Helena, from Ancient Greek Ἑλένη (Helénē).
Every Jelena since 1959 — 1,633 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Jelena
Jelena is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #5,030 in 2025 with 26 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1959, 1,633 American babies have been named Jelena. Its peak came in 2017, when 68 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Jelena stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Jelena year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 26 | #5,030 |
| 2024 | 32 | #4,426 |
| 2023 | 39 | #3,870 |
| 2022 | 37 | #4,000 |
| 2021 | 29 | #4,674 |
| 2020 | 38 | #3,808 |
| 2019 | 39 | #3,820 |
| 2018 | 52 | #3,134 |
| 2017 | 68 | #2,583 |
| 2016 | 58 | #2,921 |
| 2015 | 49 | #3,320 |
| 2014 | 58 | #2,948 |
| 2013 | 47 | #3,382 |
| 2012 | 51 | #3,239 |
| 2011 | 58 | #2,967 |
| 2010 | 57 | #2,994 |
| 2009 | 46 | #3,536 |
| 2008 | 57 | #3,036 |
| 2007 | 51 | #3,304 |
| 2006 | 49 | #3,335 |
| 2005 | 44 | #3,432 |
| 2004 | 48 | #3,196 |
| 2003 | 45 | #3,260 |
| 2002 | 40 | #3,425 |
| 2001 | 21 | #5,444 |
| 2000 | 31 | #4,020 |
| 1995 | 24 | #4,269 |
| 1990 | 18 | #5,150 |
| 1985 | 6 | #9,804 |
| 1980 | 13 | #5,350 |
| 1975 | 7 | #7,475 |
| 1970 | 10 | #5,199 |
| 1965 | 6 | #6,093 |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Jelena
- Jelena Karleuša Singer · b. 1978
- Jelena Janković Tennis player · b. 1985
- Jelena Jensen Pornographic actor · b. 1981
- Jelena Dokic Tennis player · b. 1983
- Jelena Rozga Singer · b. 1977
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jelena mean?
Borrowed from Bulgarian, Macedonian, and Russian Еле́на (Jeléna) and Pannonian Rusyn Єлена (Jelena), from Latin Helena, from Ancient Greek Ἑλένη (Helénē).
How popular is the name Jelena in 2025?
Jelena ranked #5,030 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 26 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Jelena?
1,633 babies have been named Jelena in the United States since 1959, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Jelena most popular?
Jelena peaked in 2017, when 68 newborns received the name.
Is Jelena a boy or girl name?
Jelena is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Jelena rising or falling?
Jelena is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Jelena?
Well-known people named Jelena include Jelena Karleuša (singer), Jelena Janković (tennis player), Jelena Jensen (pornographic actor).