Elena vs Iris

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 →

Iris

Girl #71 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"rainbow"

Origin: Ancient Greek

Cultural Roots

Greek English Dutch American French

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#71
Total SSA Count
3,124
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Iris →

Popularity Comparison

Elena Rank #45
Iris Rank #71

Elena is more popular, ranked #45 vs #71 for Iris.

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

Iris ___

  • Iris Mae
  • Iris Louise
  • Iris Violet
  • Iris June
  • Iris Claire
  • Iris Elaine

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Elena

Sofia Isabella Catalina Marco Mateo

If you choose Iris

Ivy Flora Violet Arthur Felix

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 Iris more popular?

Elena is more popular, ranked #45 compared to Iris at #71 in the United States.

What do Elena and Iris mean?

Elena means "Bright, shining light; torch" (Greek origin). Iris means "rainbow" (Ancient Greek origin).

Are Elena and Iris boy or girl names?

Elena is primarily a girl name. Iris is primarily a girl name.

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