Fun Facts About the Name Elen
- 409 babies named Elen: U.S. records list 409 babies given the name Elen from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Elen Mean?
Elen is the Welsh form of Helen, a name that entered Welsh through Latin Helena, from Greek Helénē (Ἑλένη). The origin of the Greek name is not settled, so the meaning of Elen is best described as uncertain. One long-standing explanation connects it to the Greek word helenē (ἑλένη), "torch" or "corposant," while another proposal links it to selēnē (σελήνη), "moon." Some scholars treat the name as pre-Greek, in which case neither Greek word is its source. "Torch" and "light" are therefore customary interpretations rather than a demonstrated meaning.
Despite the similar sound, Elen is not related to Eleanor, which has a separate history.
Elen Name History & Origins
Elen is the Welsh form of Helen, and in medieval Welsh literature it belongs to Elen Luyddog, "Elen of the Hosts," the wife of Macsen Wledig, the Welsh name for the Roman emperor Magnus Maximus. She appears in the tale Breuddwyd Macsen Wledig, "The Dream of Macsen Wledig," preserved with the Mabinogion. In the story Macsen sees Elen in a dream, finds her in Britain, and marries her; the great roads of the island are said to have been made at her request, and Welsh tradition calls them Sarn Elen, "Elen's Causeway." This is legend rather than documented history.
Welsh tradition also made Elen a saint. She was venerated as a holy woman of the fourth century, and churches such as Llanelen in south Wales bear her name. In this tradition she is often identified both with the empress Helena, mother of Constantine, and with the wife of Magnus Maximus, figures that historical sources keep separate.
The name stayed in use in Wales, where Elen serves as the ordinary Welsh equivalent of Helen, and it appears in place-names such as Yr Elen, a mountain in the Carneddau range of Snowdonia. In Norway and Denmark, Elen is used as a form of Ellen, another descendant of Helen; that Scandinavian use developed separately from the Welsh name.
How Popular is the Name Elen?
Elen has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2022. Its best rank was #2,022 in 1911.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #11,208 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2024 | #9,069 | 11 | 0.0007% |
| 2023 | #8,172 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 2022 | #6,792 | 17 | 0.0010% |
| 2021 | #15,925 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2020 | #12,503 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2019 | #8,730 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 2018 | #10,804 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2017 | #16,562 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2016 | #13,305 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2015 | #13,400 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2013 | #10,478 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2012 | #8,785 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 2011 | #12,501 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2010 | #9,390 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 2009 | #12,789 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2008 | #9,120 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 2006 | #11,715 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2005 | #13,412 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2004 | #10,135 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 2003 | #12,801 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2002 | #10,472 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2001 | #9,591 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1997 | #14,404 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1996 | #10,913 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1995 | #9,851 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1994 | #14,093 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1991 | #13,797 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1987 | #10,225 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1985 | #9,657 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1984 | #9,467 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1983 | #8,288 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1981 | #9,426 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1976 | #9,712 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1962 | #6,846 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1957 | #4,313 | 9 | 0.0004% |
| 1954 | #5,974 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1948 | #4,825 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1947 | #5,541 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1933 | #3,871 | 6 | 0.0006% |
| 1932 | #4,603 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1928 | #4,920 | 5 | 0.0004% |
| 1926 | #5,058 | 5 | 0.0004% |
| 1924 | #4,119 | 7 | 0.0006% |
| 1923 | #4,535 | 6 | 0.0005% |
| 1921 | #3,765 | 8 | 0.0006% |
| 1920 | #4,542 | 6 | 0.0005% |
| 1918 | #3,094 | 10 | 0.0009% |
| 1917 | #4,232 | 6 | 0.0006% |
| 1916 | #4,622 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1915 | #4,477 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1914 | #2,715 | 8 | 0.0011% |
| 1913 | #2,616 | 7 | 0.0011% |
| 1911 | #2,022 | 7 | 0.0017% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Elen Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are fine when in harmony but changeable when in discord, because many of your best qualities are then reversed. You are entertaining but may be impulsive. Freedom is a necessity, and you find it difficult to settle down. Your versatility results in many changes, and often brings travel. Your fine intellect is capable of high honors if applied seriously. You are capable of inspired thinking applied to material things. You can be restless, changeable, and very sexy. You have an eventful, exciting life. You are versatile and have the ability to learn easily.
You desire to inspire and lead, to control other's affairs. You are giving, courageous and bold, action oriented,energetic and strong willed. You want to make a difference in the world, and this attitude often attracts you to cultural interests, politics, social issues, and the cultivation of your creative talents.
✦ Elen's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Elen's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.