Ava vs Elena

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Elena

Girl #45 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"Bright, shining light; torch"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

Italian Spanish Russian Romanian Greek English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#45
Total SSA Count
4,567
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Ellie, Ella, Lena

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Elena →

Popularity Comparison

Ava Rank #9
Elena Rank #45

Ava is more popular, ranked #9 vs #45 for Elena.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Ava ___

  • Ava Rose
  • Ava Grace
  • Ava Marie
  • Ava Claire
  • Ava Elizabeth
  • Ava Mae

Elena ___

  • Elena Rose
  • Elena Grace
  • Elena Marie
  • Elena Sofia
  • Elena Claire
  • Elena Louise

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Ava

Liam Noah Olivia Sophia Isabella

If you choose Elena

Sofia Isabella Catalina Marco Mateo

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ava or Elena more popular?

Ava is more popular, ranked #9 compared to Elena at #45 in the United States.

What do Ava and Elena mean?

Ava means "life" (Germanic origin). Elena means "Bright, shining light; torch" (Greek origin).

Are Ava and Elena boy or girl names?

Ava is primarily a girl name. Elena is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons

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← Full profile: Ava ← Full profile: Elena Browse all baby names