Jelena is a Slavic name of Serbian origin, meaning 'bright' or 'shining'. It's composed of the elements 'jele' meaning 'to shine', and 'ena' which is a feminine suffix. This name has been popular in various Slavic countries, including Serbia, Bulgaria, and Russia. Jelena is often associated with nature and light due to its etymology. It gained some international recognition through notable figures like Jelena Janković, a former world No. 1 tennis player from Serbia.
"Jelena saw a peak in popularity in 1989 with seven births, followed by five births in 1998, totaling twelve children named Jelena over these two years."