Yelena
From Bulgarian, Macedonian, and Russian Еле́на (Jeléna), from Latin Helena, from Ancient Greek Ἑλένη (Helénē).
Every Yelena since 1961 — 1,626 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Yelena
Yelena is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #1,807 in 2025 with 112 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1961, 1,626 American babies have been named Yelena. Its peak came in 2022, when 145 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
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 Yelena stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Yelena year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 112 | #1,807 |
| 2024 | 72 | #2,506 |
| 2023 | 71 | #2,515 |
| 2022 | 145 | #1,504 |
| 2021 | 62 | #2,783 |
| 2020 | 29 | #4,643 |
| 2019 | 38 | #3,916 |
| 2018 | 31 | #4,557 |
| 2017 | 43 | #3,624 |
| 2016 | 56 | #3,009 |
| 2015 | 39 | #3,913 |
| 2014 | 48 | #3,367 |
| 2013 | 42 | #3,699 |
| 2012 | 36 | #4,209 |
| 2011 | 48 | #3,405 |
| 2010 | 41 | #3,811 |
| 2009 | 52 | #3,247 |
| 2008 | 70 | #2,662 |
| 2007 | 57 | #3,094 |
| 2006 | 50 | #3,313 |
| 2005 | 48 | #3,256 |
| 2004 | 53 | #2,996 |
| 2003 | 66 | #2,495 |
| 2002 | 29 | #4,377 |
| 2001 | 28 | #4,441 |
| 2000 | 27 | #4,521 |
| 1995 | 19 | #5,214 |
| 1990 | 12 | #7,297 |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | 6 | #10,380 |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | 7 | #5,811 |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Yelena
- Yelena Bonner Social activist · 1923–2011
- Yelena Isinbayeva Athlete · b. 1982
- Yelena Kondakova Astronaut · b. 1957
- Yelena Vyalbe Skier · b. 1968
- Yelena Shushunova Gymnast · 1969–2018
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Yelena mean?
From Bulgarian, Macedonian, and Russian Еле́на (Jeléna), from Latin Helena, from Ancient Greek Ἑλένη (Helénē).
How popular is the name Yelena in 2025?
Yelena ranked #1,807 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 112 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Yelena?
1,626 babies have been named Yelena in the United States since 1961, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Yelena most popular?
Yelena peaked in 2022, when 145 newborns received the name.
Is Yelena a boy or girl name?
Yelena is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Yelena rising or falling?
Yelena is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Yelena?
Well-known people named Yelena include Yelena Bonner (social activist), Yelena Isinbayeva (athlete), Yelena Kondakova (astronaut).