Eleni Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Eleni is a Greek name derived from 'Helenē', meaning light or shining one. It has evolved from Ancient Greek to Modern Greek. The name is often linked with positive traits like brightness and warmth. While it does not have a biblical background, it gained historical popularity due to its association with Saint Helen. Today, Eleni is viewed as a classic and elegant name, with several notable individuals bearing it.
The name Eleni is most popular in New York, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Eleni has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Eleni' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3504th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2063rd out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1431st out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1598th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1371st out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Eleni' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Eleni"
Pronunciation
/ɛˈlɛni/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Eleni is derived from the Greek name 'Helenē', which is associated with the Greek word 'helē' meaning 'torch' or 'light'. It is also linked to the meaning 'shining light' or 'bright one'.
Meaning
light, torch, bright one
Language Evolution
Helenē (Ancient Greek), Eleni (Modern Greek)
Historical Usage
Eleni gained popularity in Greece and among Greek communities around the world, especially during the 20th century. The name is often associated with Saint Helen, the mother of Emperor Constantine.
Variants & Derivatives
Helen, Helena, Elena
Modern Popularity & Image
Eleni is perceived as a classic and elegant name, often associated with warmth and brightness. It remains a popular choice for girls in Greece and among people of Greek heritage.
Famous People
Eleni Foureira (singer), Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis (politician), Eleni Vasilaki (scientist)
Explore More Eleni Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Eleni"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Eleni"
"Eleni" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 3504th of 12526 | 223 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 2063rd of 19264 | 661 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1431st of 27321 | 1,655 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1598th of 35406 | 2,040 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1371st of 30306 | 2,000 |
Regional Popularity of "Eleni" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Eleni" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
81.69% 1985th/2430 |
- | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
65.37% 1920th/2937 |
30.61% 1066th/3483 |
100.00% 3518th/3518 |
78.14% 3160th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
33.92% 1250th/3685 |
17.45% 781st/4475 |
37.50% 1948th/5194 |
29.33% 1853rd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
32.63% 1495th/4582 |
16.44% 849th/5164 |
30.53% 2233rd/7313 |
23.84% 1779th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
32.76% 1305th/3984 |
20.57% 923rd/4487 |
24.66% 1682nd/6822 |
21.22% 1332nd/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Eleni"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Eleni" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.