Given name
Ileana
“the shining light”·“the light-bearer; from the green meadow”
Ileana is a diminutive of Elena. In Spanish use, Elena carries the interpretation “the shining light.” Ileana is a variant of Ilena. In English use, Ilena carries the interpretation “the light-bearer; from the green meadow.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Ileana is a diminutive of Elena. In Spanish use, Elena carries the interpretation “the shining light.” Ileana is a variant of Ilena. In English use, Ilena carries the interpretation “the light-bearer; from the green meadow.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Ileana is a form of Helen. A possible origin is Greek, although the derivation remains uncertain.
Explained through its name family
How it developed
In Romanian usage, Ileana developed from Helena. In Romanian usage, Ileana developed from Ἑλένη.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1918. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin. Ileana is a form of Helen. The history of Helen gives this family its wider story. Helen’s historical associations include the mother of the Emperor Constantine.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Ileana through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 5,617
- 0 boys · 5,617 girls
- Most popular year
- 1991
- 141 babies
- 2025
- 50
- #3,180 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −13%
- Easing
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 50 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 3,180 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 12.6% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 141 in 1991. In 2025, Texas had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (11). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 10,619 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Ileana’s family of names
In Romanian usage, Ileana is a diminutive of Elena. In Romanian usage, Ileana developed from the Latin form Helena. Ileana is a form of Helen.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Around the world
Ileana has relatives in 7 languages.
6 related names in 7 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.
Nicknames & forms 4
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 1
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 6
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
People named Ileana
- Ileana D'CruzIndian-Portuguese film actressborn 1986
- Princess Ileana of RomaniaRomanian Royal1909–1991
- Ileana CotrubașRomanian operatic soprano (1939–2026)
- Ileana Ros-LehtinenAmerican politician (born 1952)
- Ileana Gyulai-Drîmbă-JeneiRomanian fencer (1946-2021)
- Ileana CitaristiItalian Odissi and Chhau dancerborn 1968
- Ileana SalvadorItalian racewalkerborn 1962
- Ileana SonnabendAmerican art dealer (1914–2007)
- Ileana StreinuRomanian-American computer scientist and mathematicianborn 2000
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Ileana, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Katrina
“one who is pure; virginal”
>99% girls
Leana
“of the palm tree” · “the shining light”
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Ilana
“tree”
>99% girls
Cymberli
“from the royal meadow”
—
Cyneleigh
“from the royal meadow”
—
Cinburleigh
“from the royal meadow”
—
Cimberleigh
“from the royal meadow”
—
Cynburleigh
“from the royal meadow”
—