"mortal princess loved by Zeus (mythological)"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Elara
Girl Name
#1,158 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
3 Syllables
A moon of Jupiter with mythological star power
American
English
European
Whimsical
Elegant
Modern
Unique
Meaning & Origin
"related to brightness/light"
Origin: Greek linguistic root
Language: English
The Story of Elara
Elara comes from Greek mythology — she was a mortal princess loved by Zeus, who transformed her into the earth to hide her from Hera. Their child was the giant Tityos. The name is also carried by Elara, one of Jupiter's moons discovered in 1905 and named for this Oceanid. Linguistically, Elara may be connected to the Greek root for brightness or light, or simply be a variant of Laura/Lara meaning 'bay laurel.'
Elara is one of the fastest-rising names in the US and UK in the 2020s, appealing to parents who love Ella and Clara but want something more distinctive. Its space connection (Jupiter's moon) resonates with the growing trend of celestial and astronomy-inspired names. It has the feel of a fantasy world name that is actually rooted in classical mythology.
Elara sits at the intersection of two powerful naming trends: Greek mythology and celestial/space names. It appears in fantasy fiction as a character name (The Stormlight Archive, various games) which has helped it gain recognition among younger parents.
Fun Facts
- Elara is one of Jupiter's moons, discovered in 1905 and named after the Greek mythological figure
- Elara has risen more than 200 spots in the US baby name charts between 2015 and 2025
- In Brandon Sanderson's fantasy novel The Way of Kings, Elara is a character name that likely boosted the name's fantasy appeal
Elara in Other Languages
Greek
Ελάρα
Latin
Elara
French
Elara
English
Elara
Spanish
Elara
Famous People Named Elara
E
Elara (moon of Jupiter)
Other
One of Jupiter's prograde moons, discovered in 1905 by Charles Dillon Perrine
E
Elara (Greek mythology) Fictional
Other
Mortal princess in Greek mythology, mother of the giant Tityos by Zeus
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #1,158
- Total SSA Count
- 208
- Cultural Origins
- American English European
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Ellie
Lara
Ara
Pairs Well With
Elara Rose
Elara Jane
Elara Violet
Elara Mae
Elara Celeste
Elara Wren
Sibling Names
Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Elara
What does the name Elara mean?
"mortal princess loved by Zeus (mythological)" (from Greek). "related to brightness/light" (from Greek linguistic root). Elara comes from Greek mythology — she was a mortal princess loved by Zeus, who transformed her into the earth to hide her from Hera. Their child was the giant Tityos. The name is also carried by Elara, one of Jupiter's moons discovered in 1905 and named for this Oceanid. Linguistically, Elara may be connected to the Greek root for brightness or light, or simply be a variant of Laura/Lara meaning 'bay laurel.'
What is the origin of the name Elara?
Elara has Greek, Greek linguistic root, American, English, and European origins. In Greek, it means "mortal princess loved by Zeus (mythological)". In Greek linguistic root, it means "related to brightness/light".
Is Elara a boy or girl name?
Elara is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Elara?
Elara is currently ranked #1158 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Elara?
Common nicknames for Elara include Ellie, Lara, and Ara.
What are good middle names for Elara?
Popular middle name pairings include Elara Rose, Elara Jane, Elara Violet, Elara Mae, Elara Celeste, and Elara Wren.
What are good sibling names for Elara?
Names that pair well with Elara as siblings include Luna, Lyra, Orion, Nova, Cassia, and Stellan.
How many syllables does Elara have?
Elara has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Elara a common or rare name?
Elara is an uncommon name, ranked #1158 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Elara
Elara is a girl name with American, English, and European origins . The name means "mortal princess loved by Zeus (mythological)" in Greek .
Elara is currently ranked #1,158 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Elara has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Elara include Ellie, Lara, and Ara. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.