Eleni
Posted in Greek Names A - F
Eleni is a very common female Greek Name, popular both in Greece and Cyprus.
The name Eleni has a long and interesting history, as it dates back to the antiquity.
Eleni in Ancient Greece was a synonym of the “shining” and “glorious” woman. Perhaps this happened because Helen of Troy, the most famous Eleni in Ancient Greece, was described by Homer as an amazingly beautiful and glorious woman.
Sound of name Eleni: E-le’-ni
Nameday of Eleni: May 21st – along with Kostas, Konstantinos
Male Version of Name Eleni: N/A
Saint Helena – Origin of Name Eleni
Although the name Eleni comes from the ancient years, the Christians tend to associate names with their Saints.
Saint Eleni, or Helena as she is mostly known in English, was the mother of Konstantine the Great, the Emperor of Byzantine Empire.
Her full name was Flavia Iulia Helena Augusta, and she was consort of Emperor Constantius, although coming from a very poor family.
During the reign of her son, Eleni was living in obscurity, although her influence to Konstantine was immense. Eleni was Christian and she was the main responsible for the pro-Christian decisions of her son, who was a pagan.
She died in 330AD and her sarcophagus is believed to be on display at the Pio Clementine Museum of the Vatican. She was famous for her piety, thus she was proclaimed a Saint by the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches.
The memory Agia Eleni (Saint Eleni) is honored on May 21st, which is the nameday of Eleni and Konstantinos (her son).
Nicknames deriving from name Eleni
Eleni is, as well said a very common name, therefore there are several nicknames deriving from this name: Leni, Elli, Lena, Lenio, Lenaki, Elenaki, Elenitsa, Nitsa, Lina, Eleana, Lengo, Lenitsa.
The Names’ Fairy reveals the meaning of the name Eleni
The name Eleni reflects a strong and imposing woman, with strong personality and character. Eleni is a woman that always tries to look beautiful and attractive.
Eleni Harrington
23. Apr, 2010
my name is eleni and Ι think this is super cool
Tijana
14. May, 2010
Eleni is the most beautiful name in the world for my husband and me. Gorgeous name!
Kristen
17. May, 2010
Eleni is my daughter’s name and we plan to celebrate on the 21st even though we are not in Greece! The name fits her and her grandmother perfectly!
Eleni
20. May, 2010
My name is Eleni and I love it. I think it is sooo funny the way people pronounce and spell it. My name keeps an ongoing conversation and fun arguments between friends on the ways it is pronounced. The name really describes me. I soooo love it.
Eleni
20. May, 2010
My name is Eleni and I am named after my Grandmother who I was told was an extrodinary woman. I am very proud of this history that my name bears.
constandina
28. May, 2010
Eleni is my mom’s name
Eleni Z.
09. Jul, 2010
My name is Eleni and even though
people always spell or say it wrong I
like it because I’d rather not have
a name that everyone has like Jessica which was popular in the year I was born.
I was named after Eleni Gatzoyiannis from the 1985 film Eleni. I am proud of my namesake.
Perri
09. Jul, 2010
I named my daughter “Eleni” after seeing the movie Eleni, who was a real person in Greece and who fought to keep her children alive and free during the Greek civil war. Funny, when my Eleni was only a year and a half we met a lady at Stanford Univ. who told us she grew up in Mass. in the neighborhood of Eleni’s 5 children (from the movie)! Small world!
Beautiful namesake, and an amazing woman-mother in the story, Eleni. We found the book Eleni after the one from the movie too. Check it out!
Eleni
07. Aug, 2010
I dont like my name. Many people get my name wrong. They say this sometimes: ENLENI.
Eleni
28. Aug, 2010
My family immigrated from Greece, so let me say even though name Eleni is very uncommon here in America, it is very popular in Greece.
I was named after my grandmother who died of cancer around the time I was born, so to those of you who don’t like your name because people pronounce it wrong, I feel very personally offended. Plus, if your parents named you Eleni, and you are not Greek, of course your name will probably be pronounced wrong.
My family tree goes back to an Emperor of the Byzantine Empire, and I feel very attached to Greece so my apologies if I have, in turn offended anyone.
Dael
28. Dec, 2010
I read the book Eleni before I had my babies.my daughter had to be named after this faithful and stubborn, strong woman.I had a son and named him Ramon meaning wise protector, then my daughter who is Eleni.I am Australian so I pronounced “LNE”. I felt silly when I heard the correct way of saying the name however love the comments I have from people and I still sometimes explain how I stumbled across this heart wrenching true story and had to name my baby girl after her.also end of book shows tender mercy which is profound.then I found out as a Christian many years later that Eleni means light and my Eleni certainly walks in Jesus Light . A real blessing that God lead me to this name.
Elany
15. Feb, 2011
My name is Elany, its the same but my parents just chose to spell it different. And i love how unique it is and that not everyone is going to have it. I am greatful to have this name.
Agni
08. Apr, 2011
All this comments are very funny for me because i am from greece. Here in greece this name is very common, everyone knows at least 10 girls that their name is Eleni.
Eleni Mc
21. May, 2011
i love my name but i really don’t understand how people can mispronounce it! its e-len-i! but whatever i dont let it bother me – i answer to elaine-y and even el-lon-y just as quickly (:
Eleny
21. Jan, 2012
Hey! Me too! My mom named me after the same woman! Eleni was an amazing person.