"mortal princess loved by Zeus (mythological)"
Elara
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A moon of Jupiter with mythological star power
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Elara
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Meaning & Origin
"related to brightness/light"
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Browse nicknames →The Story of Elara
Elara comes from Greek mythology — she was a mortal princess loved by Zeus, who transformed her into the earth to hide her from Hera. Their child was the giant Tityos. The name is also carried by Elara, one of Jupiter's moons discovered in 1905 and named for this Oceanid. Linguistically, Elara may be connected to the Greek root for brightness or light, or simply be a variant of Laura/Lara meaning 'bay laurel.'
Elara is one of the fastest-rising names in the US and UK in the 2020s, appealing to parents who love Ella and Clara but want something more distinctive. Its space connection (Jupiter's moon) resonates with the growing trend of celestial and astronomy-inspired names. It has the feel of a fantasy world name that is actually rooted in classical mythology.
Elara sits at the intersection of two powerful naming trends: Greek mythology and celestial/space names. It appears in fantasy fiction as a character name (The Stormlight Archive, various games) which has helped it gain recognition among younger parents.
Historical Record
Elara first appeared in US Social Security records in 2002.
Over 1,514 babies have been named Elara in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Elara is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #1,158 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Elara is one of Jupiter's moons, discovered in 1905 and named after the Greek mythological figure
- Elara has risen more than 200 spots in the US baby name charts between 2015 and 2025
- In Brandon Sanderson's fantasy novel The Way of Kings, Elara is a character name that likely boosted the name's fantasy appeal
Elara in Other Languages
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Elara
Elara (moon of Jupiter)
Other
One of Jupiter's prograde moons, discovered in 1905 by Charles Dillon Perrine
Elara (Greek mythology) Fictional
Other
Mortal princess in Greek mythology, mother of the giant Tityos by Zeus
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #1,158
- Total SSA Count
- 208
- Cultural Origins
- American English European
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Elara
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Elara
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About the Name Elara
Elara is a girl name with American, English, and European origins . The name means "mortal princess loved by Zeus (mythological)" in Greek .
Elara is currently ranked #1,158 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Elara has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Elara include Ellie, Lara, and Ara. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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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