Alena – Name Meaning
Alena is a female given name of Slavic origin. It is derived from the Greek name Helen, which means “light” or “torch”. The name Alena has been popular in Eastern Europe since the Middle Ages and is still widely used today.
Origin and History
The name Alena is believed to have originated in the Slavic language, although its exact origin is unknown. It is thought to be derived from the Greek name Helen, which means “light” or “torch”. The name was popularized by the medieval Russian princess Alena, who was known for her beauty and intelligence.
In Russia, the name Alena has been used since at least the 12th century. It was also popular in other Slavic countries such as Poland and Ukraine during this time. In recent years, it has become increasingly popular in Western countries as well.
Popularity
Alena is a very popular name in Eastern Europe, particularly in Russia and Ukraine. According to data from 2018, it was the 11th most popular female name in Russia and the 8th most popular female name in Ukraine. In other parts of Europe, it is less common but still quite popular.
In the United States, Alena has been steadily increasing in popularity over the past few decades. In 2019, it was ranked as the 545th most popular female baby name in the country. It is also becoming increasingly popular in Canada and Australia.
Famous People Named Alena
There are many famous people with the name Alena, including:
- Alena Kostornaia – Russian figure skater
- Alena Vinnitskaya – Ukrainian singer-songwriter
- Alena Šeredová – Czech model and actress
- Alena Seredova – Slovak model and actress
- Alena Sharp – Canadian professional golfer
Variations of Alena
There are several variations of the name Alena that are used around the world:
- Aleana (English)
- Alyona (Russian)
- Elenka (Slavic)
- Helenka (Polish)
- Lenka (Czech)
