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Shem
The Israeli Names Portal

ילנה


Meaning of the name ילנה

Yelena is a fascinating feminine name that combines a rich and diverse cultural heritage. The name is a Slavic-Russian form of the Greek name Helena, whose roots span thousands of years of European culture. In its Greek origin, the name derives from the word 'Helios' meaning 'sun' or 'ray of light', carrying with it the symbolism of light, warmth, and life. In ancient Greek culture, Helen of Troy was considered the most beautiful woman in the world, daughter of the god Zeus and Leda, daughter of a king, and her legendary beauty was the mythological cause of the famous Trojan War. In Russian and Slavic tradition, the name Yelena developed as a local and authentic form of Helena, becoming one of the most common and beloved names in Eastern Europe. The name carries a particularly soft and feminine character, with rounded sounds and a musical melody reminiscent of the Russian forest landscapes and the region's rich culture. Among Russian and Eastern European Jews, the name Yelena was especially popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries, as Jewish families adopted local names while maintaining their cultural identity. The name represents a bridge between Jewish culture and Slavic tradition, expressing the complex cultural coexistence that characterized Jewish life in the Russian Empire. In modern Israel, the name Yelena carries a special nostalgic quality. It is associated with waves of immigration from the former Soviet Union and symbolizes the rich cultural heritage these immigrants brought with them. Women bearing the name Yelena are often perceived as elegant, educated, and possessing cultural depth. The name maintains a connection to European tradition while naturally integrating into the Israeli cultural mosaic. It represents beauty, wisdom, and culture, carrying the legacy of strong and influential women throughout history. Today, the name Yelena is considered a classic and respected name, combining European elegance with modern Israeli identity.

The name ילנה with vowels

יֶלֶנָה

The name ילנה in English

Yelena | Jelena | Elena | Helena

ילנה is mainly suitable for

Girl

Is the name ילנה considered international

Yes

Origin of the name ילנה from Kabbalah

In Kabbalah, the name Yelena is connected to inner light and the radiance of the soul. Just as the sun illuminates the world and gives life, so bearers of this name are perceived as sources of light and positive energy to their surroundings. The name expresses qualities of grace, inner beauty, and natural charisma. The connection to Greek mythology adds a dimension of eternal beauty and feminine power, symbolizing the balance between inner strength and outer gentleness.

Gematria value for the name ילנה

95

=

10

י

+

30

ל

+

50

נ

+

5

ה

Numerology value for the name ילנה

5

=

10

י

+

30

ל

+

50

נ

+

5

ה

=

95

=

9

+

5

=

14

=

1

+

4

=

5

Famous people named ילנה

Yelena Bonner - Soviet human rights activist and wife of Andrei Sakharov | Yelena Isinbayeva - Russian Olympic and world champion pole vaulter | Yelena Katina - Israeli actress of Russian origin | Yelena Proklova - famous Russian actress | Yelena Vorodina - Russian film actress

Names similar to ילנה

Total times the name ילנה was registered

43 times

Graph of the name ילנה

* Source: Central Bureau of Statistics. As of April 2022