Alena
Alena is a girl's name of Slavic origin.
Meaning
Torch, shining light, or high tower.
Origin and history
Alena is a given name used across Slavic, German, and Scandinavian cultures, usually derived as a variant of Helena or Magdalena. It carries meanings associated with light or torch from its Greek roots, or tower from its Hebrew connections. In the United States, it has experienced steady, moderate usage, ranking consistently within the top 1,000 female names in recent years.
Popularity in the United States
16,014 babies in the United States have been named Alena since 1880. It ranks #1219 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #717.
States where it is most popular
- CA (18 %)
- TX (10.2 %)
- NY (6.3 %)
- FL (5.8 %)
- MI (5.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 43 |
| 1900-1910 | 52 |
| 1910-1920 | 135 |
| 1920-1930 | 180 |
| 1930-1940 | 106 |
| 1940-1950 | 113 |
| 1950-1960 | 194 |
| 1960-1970 | 446 |
| 1970-1980 | 869 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,307 |
| 1990-2000 | 2,196 |
| 2000-2010 | 3,917 |
| 2010-2019 | 4,167 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,289 |
Famous people named Alena
- Alena Šeredová: Model, Actress
- Alena Kostornaia: Figure skater
Nicknames
Lena, Aly, Leni
Fun facts
- Alena functions as a common short form or variant of standard classical names across Eastern Europe and Scandinavia.
- The name has seen a steady rise in U.S. registration over recent decades as parents favor melodic three-syllable names ending in 'a'.