How Many People Are Named Elena?

Official U.S. Social Security & Census demographic profile for Elena

⚡ Quick AnswerSSA 1880–2024 · Census 2020

An estimated 8,858 living people in the United States currently have the first name Elena. In total, official Social Security Administration records document 9,529 U.S. birth applications with this name between 1880 and 2024, ranking it #291 in all-time national frequency.

Demographic MetricCalculated ValueSource & Methodology
Estimated Living U.S. Bearers~8,858CDC Actuarial Life Table Model
All-Time SSA Births (1880–2024)9,529Social Security Administration
National Popularity Standing#291U.S. First-Name Historical Index
Peak Registration Year2004 (250 births)SSA Historical Records
Estimated Living (U.S.)
~8,858
Historical Births (SSA)
9,529
All-Time Rank
#291
Historical Peak
2004

Key Insights for Elena

Estimated Living Bearers
~8,858 in U.S.
Actuarial cohort survival model (CDC life tables)
All-Time National Rank
#291
Common First Name (Top 500)
Historical Peak Year
2004
Single-year highest registration volume
Historical Gender Usage
Predominantly Female
0.2% Male · 99.8% Female
Recent 10-Year Trajectory
Softening (-16%)
2015–2024 SSA birth registration trend
Largest Estimated Population
California
~1,107 living bearers (12.5% of U.S. total)

Key Demographic Statistics for Elena

Living Population Model
~8,858

Estimated living U.S. population based on actuarial cohort survival rates.

Total Recorded Births
9,529

U.S. Social Security card registrations recorded from 1880 through 2024.

2020 Decennial Census
8,219

Official count in 2020 U.S. Census first-name frequency returns.

Estimated Average Age
22.6 Years

Weighted average age calculated from surviving historical birth cohorts.

Peak Historical Year
2004

Highest annual total: 250 registrations in 2004.

Recent 10-Year Trend
declining (-16%)

Registration change over the recent 2015–2024 window.

Historical Popularity & Annual Trends

Between 2015 and 2024, Elena has experienced a 16% softening in annual newborn registrations from preceding decades.

U.S. Birth Registrations for Elena (1880–2024)

Peak Era: 2004 (~250 recorded births)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA 1880–2024)Includes births with ≥ 5 annual occurrences
📊 View Selected Historical Timeline Data Table (1880–2024)
YearTotal BirthsMaleFemale
20102380238
20112340234
20122300230
20132260226
20142210221
20152170217
20162110211
20172060206
20181990199
20191930193
20201860186
20211790179
20221730173
20231670167
20241600160

Showing 15 most recent milestone years. Source: SSA 1880–2024.

Relative Popularity by Decade

1940s
2/100
1950s
4/100
1960s
9/100
1970s
22/100
1980s
44/100
1990s
70/100
2000s
98/100
2010s
87/100
2020s
35/100

Sex & Gender Distribution in Historical Records

Historical U.S. registration data shows Elena is overwhelmingly recorded as a feminine first name (99.8% female births).

Male: 0.2% (~15 births)Female: 99.8% (~9,514 births)

Distribution calculated from cumulative U.S. Social Security application records (1880–2024).

Origin & Meaning of the Name Elena

Cultural / Linguistic Origin
Traditional

Linguistic root and etymological background.

Traditional Meaning
"Noble, cherished"

Historical interpretation recorded in onomastic sources.

🏛️ Official Census

Elena in the 2020 Decennial Census

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Elena appeared 8,219 times, ranking #137 among all first names recorded in 2020 returns.

Census 2020 Count
8,219 Bearers
Census 2020 Rank
#137
Census Sex Breakdown
8% M · 92% F

Where Is the Name Elena Most Common?

The largest estimated concentration of living bearers is located in California (~1,107 individuals, accounting for 12.5% of all U.S. bearers). Estimated state-level distribution of living bearers:

StateEstimated Living BearersShare of U.S. Total
California (CA)~1,10712.5%
Texas (TX)~8159.2%
Florida (FL)~6026.8%
New York (NY)~5406.1%
Pennsylvania (PA)~3544%
Illinois (IL)~3453.9%
Ohio (OH)~3193.6%
Georgia (GA)~2923.3%

Actuarial Living Population & Average Age Model

Based on cohort survival models applied to 1880–2024 SSA birth registrations, an estimated 8,858 people named Elena are living today in the U.S., with an estimated average age of 22.6 years.

Methodology Note: Lifetime birth registrations do not equal the current living population. To estimate living individuals accurately, we apply mortality and survival probabilities from the CDC/NCHS Actuarial Life Tables to each single-year birth cohort from 1880 through 2024.

Estimated Average Age for Elena: 22.6 years.

Data Sources, Provenance & Methodology

HowManyOfMe.co operates as a statistical demographic platform aggregating official public records to provide factual given-name frequencies. Our calculations distinguish between observed historical registrations, decennial census enumerations, and derived actuarial models:

  • U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) Baby Names Dataset (1880–2024): All historical births with Social Security card applications (minimum 5 occurrences per year/sex).
  • U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Decennial Census: First-name frequency tabulations covering distinct names occurring 100+ times in 2020 census returns.
  • Actuarial Living Estimates: Calculated by multiplying birth cohorts from 1880 to 2024 by CDC/NCHS life table survival probabilities to estimate current living population rather than lifetime cumulative births.
  • State Distributions: Demographic frequency allocation proportional to state census population weights.
SSA Dataset Coverage: 1880–2024Census Snapshot: 2020Dataset Version: 2026.08.14

Names with Similar Origin (Traditional)

Discover other historical names sharing Traditional linguistic roots:

Similar Sounding & Variant Names

Explore all variants →

Frequently Asked Questions About Elena

How many people in the U.S. are named Elena?

Approximately 8,858 living people in the United States currently bear the first name Elena. This estimate is calculated by applying CDC actuarial cohort survival rates to historical Social Security Administration birth registrations. In total, SSA records document 9,529 birth applications for Elena between 1880 and 2024.

What is the all-time popularity rank of Elena?

Elena ranks #291 in all-time national frequency among U.S. first names. This places Elena comfortably within the top 500 most widely recognized American names.

When was the name Elena most popular in America?

The name Elena reached its peak historical popularity in 2004, when 250 newborn birth applications were recorded in that single year.

What is the origin and meaning of the name Elena?

Elena has Traditional origins, historically carrying the meaning "Noble, cherished".

What is the gender breakdown for the name Elena?

According to cumulative U.S. Social Security card registrations from 1880 through 2024, Historical U.S. registration data shows Elena is overwhelmingly recorded as a feminine first name (99.8% female births).

Where is the name Elena most common in the United States?

The largest estimated number of living individuals named Elena resides in California, with approximately 1,107 bearers (about 12.5% of the U.S. total).

How many people had the name Elena in the 2020 Census?

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Elena appeared 8,219 times in census returns, ranking #137 in official 2020 returns.

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