Eleni
How to say it: eh-LEN-ee · /ɛˈlɛni/
Classical Greek form of Helen, meaning 'torch' or 'shining light'. Widely used in Greece and Cyprus.
Eleni was the 911th most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 240 babies (Social Security Administration). The 2020s are its busiest decade so far, its births are up about 76% in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #690 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #911 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 240 |
| Share of births | 1 in 13,813 |
| Peak decade | 2020s |
| Change over 10 years | +76% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #690 |
| In France, 2025 | #1,735 among girls’ names, 10 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Recently Eleni reached its best showing yet in the 2020s. Resting at its peak, it should rise a little more.
What goes with it
Gentle and flowing across three syllables with a soft glow, Eleni feels calm and bright. Selene echoes its graceful style.
Nicknames
- Eli
- Leni
- Elle
Honouring a Eleni in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Eleni is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, French, Greek.
In France: #1,735 for girls in 2025.
Famous people named Eleni
- Eleni Foureira (born 1987)Greek singer
- Eleni Karaindrou (born 1941)Greek composer and pianist
- Eleni Artymata (born 1986)Cypriot sprinter
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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