"bright, shining light"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Elina
Does Elina flow with your last name?
Scandinavian luminosity with ancient Hellenic roots
Scandinavian
Finnish
Eastern European
Russian
Elegant
Gentle
International
Classic
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"torch, moon"
Origin: Greek
Language: Finnish
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The Story of Elina
Elina is a Scandinavian and Finnish variant of the Greek name Helen (Helene), derived from the Greek Helene, which may come from helene meaning torch or from Selene meaning the moon. Helen of Troy is one of the most famous figures in Greek mythology, whose beauty caused the Trojan War. The Scandinavian form Elina has its own distinctive identity, particularly beloved in Finland where it has been a top-10 name.
Elina is among the most popular names in Finland and has been consistently so for decades. In Estonia and other Baltic states it is similarly beloved. Internationally, it is gaining traction as parents discover this elegant alternative to Elena or Alina.
In Finland, Elina is a culturally significant name with the name day celebration on April 13th. The name appears in Finnish literature and folklore. Finnish opera singer Elina Garanca has given the name artistic prestige on the world stage.
Historical Record
Elina first appeared in US Social Security records in 1951.
Over 5,665 babies have been named Elina in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Elina is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #785 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Elina has been among the top 10 names in Finland for several consecutive decades
- Helen of Troy was called the face that launched a thousand ships by Christopher Marlowe in Doctor Faustus
Elina in Other Languages
Greek
Ελένα
Finnish
Elina
Russian
Элина
Swedish
Elina
Estonian
Elina
Popularity Over Time
#785
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Elina
E
Elina Svitolina
Athlete
1994
Ukrainian professional tennis player, former world number 3 and 2019 Wimbledon semifinalist
E
Elina Garanca
Musician
1976
Latvian opera mezzo-soprano considered one of the finest singers of her generation
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #785
- Total SSA Count
- 358
- Cultural Origins
- Scandinavian Finnish Eastern European Russian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Eli
Lina
Ela
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, Scandinavian heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Scandinavian heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, Russian heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, Scandinavian heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Distinctive pick, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Distinctive pick, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, Scandinavian heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Elina
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Elina
What does the name Elina mean?
"bright, shining light" (from Greek). "torch, moon" (from Greek). Elina is a Scandinavian and Finnish variant of the Greek name Helen (Helene), derived from the Greek Helene, which may come from helene meaning torch or from Selene meaning the moon. Helen of Troy is one of the most famous figures in Greek mythology, whose beauty caused the Trojan War. The Scandinavian form Elina has its own distinctive identity, particularly beloved in Finland where it has been a top-10 name.
What is the origin of the name Elina?
Elina has Greek, Scandinavian, Finnish, Eastern European, and Russian origins. In Greek, it means "bright, shining light". In Greek, it means "torch, moon".
Is Elina a boy or girl name?
Elina is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Elina?
Elina is currently ranked #785 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Elina?
Common nicknames for Elina include Eli, Lina, and Ela.
What are good middle names for Elina?
Popular middle name pairings include Elina Sofia, Elina Marie, Elina Rose, Elina Victoria, Elina Grace, and Elina Sophia.
What are good sibling names for Elina?
Names that pair well with Elina as siblings include Natalia, Vera, Ivan, Nikolai, Katarina, and Lilja.
How many syllables does Elina have?
Elina has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Elina a common or rare name?
Elina is moderately common, ranked #785 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What girl names are similar to Elina?
About the Name Elina
Elina is a girl name with Scandinavian, Finnish, Eastern European, and Russian origins . The name means "bright, shining light" in Greek .
Elina is currently ranked #785 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Elina has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Elina include Eli, Lina, and Ela. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Elina include Elinor, Elin . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis