Elena vs Isla

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 →

Isla

Girl #35 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"island"

Origin: Scottish Gaelic from Islay island in Scotland

Cultural Roots

Scottish Spanish English Irish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#35
Total SSA Count
5,367
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Izzy

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Isla →

Popularity Comparison

Elena Rank #45
Isla Rank #35

Isla is more popular, ranked #35 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

Isla ___

  • Isla Grace
  • Isla Rose
  • Isla Mae
  • Isla Kate
  • Isla Jean
  • Isla Claire

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Elena

Sofia Isabella Catalina Marco Mateo

If you choose Isla

Callum Finn Nora Fiona Rory

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 Isla more popular?

Isla is more popular, ranked #35 compared to Elena at #45 in the United States.

What do Elena and Isla mean?

Elena means "Bright, shining light; torch" (Greek origin). Isla means "island" (Scottish Gaelic from Islay island in Scotland origin).

Are Elena and Isla boy or girl names?

Elena is primarily a girl name. Isla is primarily a girl name.

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