"tree, oak tree"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Elana
Does Elana flow with your last name?
Rooted in Hebrew tradition like a strong oak
Hebrew
Israeli
English
American
Earthy
Elegant
Gentle
Spiritual
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Elana
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Elana
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"shining light"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Elana
See all →What the Elana report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Elana the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Elana
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Elana head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Elana actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Elana
Elana is a variant of Ilana, derived from the Hebrew word meaning tree, particularly an oak tree. In Hebrew culture, trees symbolize strength, rootedness, and long life. The name is also sometimes considered a variant of Elena or Helen, from the Greek meaning torch or shining light, giving it dual heritage across two ancient traditions.
Elana has maintained steady popularity in Jewish communities worldwide and in Israel. It appeals broadly to parents seeking a name that sounds contemporary yet is deeply rooted in ancient heritage, bridging Hebrew tradition with modern elegance.
In Hebrew and Israeli culture, Elana (or Ilana) is a beloved name connecting girls to the natural world and the biblical symbolism of the tree of life. It is one of many Hebrew nature names that have become popular beyond Jewish communities.
Historical Record
Elana first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 8,640 babies have been named Elana in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Elana is past its peak , currently ranked #1,882 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- In Hebrew, Elana and Ilana come from the word for tree, connecting the bearer to nature and strength
- The name bridges Hebrew and Greek traditions through its similar sound to Elena
Elana in Other Languages
French
Élana
Hebrew
אילנה
Russian
Элана
Spanish
Elana
Popularity Over Time
#1,882
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1960
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Elana
E
Elana Meyers Taylor
Athlete
1984
American bobsledder and three-time Olympic medalist
E
Elana Eden
Actor
1934
Israeli actress known for her role in The Story of Ruth (1960)
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Toby
Girl
"Yahweh is good"
#2,005
Evalina
Girl
"life, living"
#1,724
Elysia
Girl
"paradise, heavenly bliss"
#1,777
Rhylee
Girl
"courageous, spirited (from Irish Raghallach)"
#2,026
Caliana
Girl
"beautiful"
#2,061
Compare Elana with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #1,882
- Total SSA Count
- 106
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew Israeli English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Ellie
Lana
Ella
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Elana
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Elana fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Elana →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Elana with...
Same Origin Names (Hebrew)
See all Hebrew names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Elana
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Elana and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Elana sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Toby
Girl
Hebrew origin
"Yahweh is good"
#2,005 in US
Evalina
Girl
Hebrew origin
"life, living"
#1,724 in US
Elysia
Girl
Greek Elysion origin
"paradise, heavenly bliss"
#1,777 in US
Rhylee
Girl
Irish Gaelic origin
"courageous, spirited (from Irish Ragh..."
#2,026 in US
Caliana
Girl
Greek origin
"beautiful"
#2,061 in US
Donna
Girl
Latin origin
"mistress, noblewoman"
#1,937 in US
Bobbi
Girl
Old High German (Hrodebert) origin
"bright fame"
#2,014 in US
Ailanny
Girl
Irish Gaelic origin
"beautiful, lovely"
#1,910 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Elana's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Elana
What does the name Elana mean?
"tree, oak tree" (from Hebrew). "shining light" (from Greek). Elana is a variant of Ilana, derived from the Hebrew word meaning tree, particularly an oak tree. In Hebrew culture, trees symbolize strength, rootedness, and long life. The name is also sometimes considered a variant of Elena or Helen, from the Greek meaning torch or shining light, giving it dual heritage across two ancient traditions.
What is the origin of the name Elana?
Elana has Hebrew, Greek, Israeli, English, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "tree, oak tree". In Greek, it means "shining light".
Is Elana a boy or girl name?
Elana is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Elana?
Elana is currently ranked #1882 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Elana?
Common nicknames for Elana include Ellie, Lana, and Ella.
What are good middle names for Elana?
Popular middle name pairings include Elana Rose, Elana Grace, Elana Marie, Elana Sofia, Elana Jade, and Elana Nicole.
What are good sibling names for Elana?
Names that pair well with Elana as siblings include Noah, Tamar, Micah, Miriam, Eli, and Leah.
How many syllables does Elana have?
Elana has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Elana a common or rare name?
Elana is an uncommon name, ranked #1882 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Elana?
About the Name Elana
Elana is a girl name with Hebrew, Israeli, English, and American origins . The name means "tree, oak tree" in Hebrew .
Elana is currently ranked #1,882 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Elana has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Elana include Ellie, Lana, and Ella. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Elana include Elani, Elanor, Elanie . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Hebrew Names
Browse all names with this origin
E
Names Starting with E
More girl names like Elana
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis