Elena vs Emma

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

Elena Rank #45
Emma Rank #2

Emma is more popular, ranked #2 vs #45 for Elena.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Elena ___

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

Emma ___

  • Emma Rose
  • Emma Grace
  • Emma Jane
  • Emma Louise
  • Emma Kate
  • Emma Marie

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Elena

Sofia Isabella Catalina Marco Mateo

If you choose Emma

Olivia Charlotte Liam Henry Sophia

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 Elena or Emma more popular?

Emma is more popular, ranked #2 compared to Elena at #45 in the United States.

What do Elena and Emma mean?

Elena means "Bright, shining light; torch" (Greek origin). Emma means "strength" (Germanic origin).

Are Elena and Emma boy or girl names?

Elena is primarily a girl name. Emma is primarily a girl name.

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