Is Eleni a boy, girl, or unisex name?

Eleni is commonly used as a Girl name.

How popular is Eleni?

It’s currently ranked #696 in the U.S. Recent trend: Rising.

Eleni Girl

Popularity: #696 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

Pronunciationeh-LEN-ee / ɛˈlɛ.ni

Greek

Meaning

light; torch

Historical & Cultural Background

Eleni is a Greek name that has been popular for centuries. It is often associated with Saint Helen, the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great, who is venerated in both the Eastern Orthodox and Western Christian traditions. The name has also been used in various forms across different cultures, reflecting its widespread appeal. In modern Greece, Eleni remains a common and cherished name.

Trend Summary

Eleni has seen a steady presence in the U.S. but remains more popular in Greece.

Variants

Helena
Elena

International Variants

Eleni (Greek)
Helen (English)
Elena (Spanish/Italian)
Alena (Slavic)

Famous people named Eleni

Eleni Karaindrou is a renowned Greek composer known for her film scores and orchestral works.

Eleni Menegaki is a popular Greek television presenter and media personality.

Eleni S. Kallimopoulou is a Greek-American artist recognized for her contributions to contemporary art.

Eleni Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis is a prominent Greek-American politician and businesswoman, serving as the U.S. Ambassador to Hungary.

Fictional characters named Eleni

Eleni is a character in the novel 'The Last Temptation of Christ' by Nikos Kazantzakis, representing a significant figure in the protagonist's life.

Eleni is a character in the video game 'Assassin's Creed Odyssey,' where she plays a role in the storyline set in ancient Greece.

Sibling Suggestions

Sophia Maria Daphne Nikoleta Katerina Anastasia

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Eleni was first seen in the United States in 1946. Eleni has ranked as high as #1105 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in New York, California, Illinois, Texas, and Pennsylvania. In the past 5 years the name Eleni has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Eleni (2024)

Year:

State	Births	Share
CA	38	20%
TX	24	12%
FL	19	10%
NY	18	9%
IL	17	9%
PA	11	6%
NC	10	5%
MA	10	5%
CO	9	5%
NJ	8	4%
MD	7	4%
IN	7	4%
GA	5	3%
OH	5	3%
WA	5	3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

Year	Births
1946	6
1948	8
1949	8
1950	8
1951	5
1953	9
1954	7
1955	10
1956	16
1957	18
1958	12
1959	15
1960	13
1961	17
1962	22
1963	27
1964	22
1965	25
1966	27
1967	38
1968	26
1969	22
1970	37
1971	42
1972	44
1973	39
1974	48
1975	50
1976	38
1977	56
1978	65
1979	48
1980	56
1981	53
1982	59
1983	60
1984	77
1985	81
1986	85
1987	104
1988	81
1989	106
1990	111
1991	86
1992	146
1993	184
1994	156
1995	142
1996	124
1997	104
1998	95
1999	127
2000	126
2001	115
2002	143
2003	118
2004	122
2005	126
2006	141
2007	137
2008	145
2009	146
2010	121
2011	150
2012	124
2013	151
2014	158
2015	134
2016	162
2017	139
2018	118
2019	163
2020	149
2021	170
2022	187
2023	214
2024	255