What does Zoe mean?
From Greek 'zoe' (ζωή) meaning 'life'. Adopted by Hellenistic Jews and early Christians as a translation of Eve ('life').
What does Elena mean?
A form of Helen, from the Greek, “torch” or “bright, shining light.”
Zoe vs Elena
Which is more popular?
Zoe is more popular than Elena today: about 5,646 US babies were given the name Zoe in 2025, compared with 4,836 named Elena.
| Zoe | Elena | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Life | Bright, shining light |
| Origin | greek | Greek |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | ZOH-ee | eh-LAY-nuh |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 2012 (6,466) | 2025 (4,836) |
| In 2025 | 5,646 | 4,836 |
| Trend | Steady | Near its peak |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Zoe
Elena
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Zoe | Elena |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 31,129 | 26,192 |
| 2010s | 58,094 | 28,804 |
| 2000s | 48,755 | 15,699 |
| 1990s | 16,791 | 9,500 |
| 1980s | 1,999 | 6,300 |
| 1970s | 1,120 | 5,281 |
| 1960s | 952 | 4,744 |
| 1950s | 1,109 | 3,454 |
| 1940s | 569 | 2,247 |
| 1930s | 735 | 1,638 |
| 1920s | 694 | 2,169 |
| 1910s | 466 | 1,335 |
| 1900s | 239 | 376 |
| 1890s | 323 | 200 |
| 1880s | 281 | 74 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Zoe or Elena more popular?
Zoe is more popular than Elena today: about 5,646 US babies were given the name Zoe in 2025, compared with 4,836 named Elena.
What is the difference between Zoe and Elena?
Zoe means Life (greek origin), while Elena means Bright, shining light (Greek origin).
Which name is older, Zoe or Elena?
In US records, Zoe first appears in 1880 and Elena in 1880, so Zoe has the longer recorded history.