Cathy 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

Cathy Rank #6,151
Elena Rank #45

Elena is more popular, ranked #45 vs #6151 for Cathy.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Cathy ___

  • Cathy Ann
  • Cathy Marie
  • Cathy Jane
  • Cathy Louise
  • Cathy Lynn

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 Cathy

Patty Judy Linda Bobby Danny

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 Cathy or Elena more popular?

Elena is more popular, ranked #45 compared to Cathy at #6151 in the United States.

What do Cathy and Elena mean?

Cathy means "pure" (Greek katharos origin). Elena means "Bright, shining light; torch" (Greek origin).

Are Cathy and Elena boy or girl names?

Cathy is primarily a girl name. Elena is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons

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