Jelena
Jelena is a Christian girl name of Greek, via Serbian and Croatian origin, meaning “Form of Helen; often explained as 'torch' or 'bright one'”.
| Meaning | Form of Helen; often explained as 'torch' or 'bright one' |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | Greek, via Serbian and Croatian |
| Written as | Јелена |
| Pronunciation | YEH-leh-nah |
| Tradition | Christian |
| Used in | Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia And Herzegovina |
Meaning and origin of Jelena
Jelena is the South Slavic form of the Greek Helene, the name of Helen of Troy and of Saint Helena, mother of the Roman emperor Constantine. The Greek root is debated: it is often linked to helene 'torch' or to selene 'moon', which is where the popular gloss 'bright, shining' comes from. In medieval Serbia it was borne by Jelena of Anjou, a queen remembered for founding churches and monasteries. Modern bearers include the tennis players Jelena Janković and Jelena Dokić.
Is Jelena a Christian name?
The name honours Saint Helena, who is venerated in Orthodox and Catholic churches, and Jelena of Anjou is herself counted as a saint by the Serbian Orthodox Church.
How popular is Jelena?
A long-standing classic across the former Yugoslavia, familiar in every generation.
Gifts with the name Jelena
- Jelena name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Jelena baby gifts (Amazon)
- Christian baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Jelena
Names similar to Jelena
More Christian girl names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jelena mean?
Jelena means 'Form of Helen; often explained as 'torch' or 'bright one''. It is of Greek, via Serbian and Croatian origin.
Is Jelena a Christian name?
The name honours Saint Helena, who is venerated in Orthodox and Catholic churches, and Jelena of Anjou is herself counted as a saint by the Serbian Orthodox Church.
How do you pronounce Jelena?
Jelena is pronounced YEH-leh-nah.
Is Jelena a boy or girl name?
Jelena is usually a girl name.