Yelena or Jelena is a feminine

given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a f ...

. It is the

Russian Russian(s) may refer to: *Russians (), an ethnic group of the East Slavic peoples, primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries *A citizen of Russia *Russian language, the most widely spoken of the Slavic languages *''The Russians'', a b ...

form of Helen, written Елена in Russian.

Notable people called Yelena

Yelena Afanasyeva (athlete) Yelena Aleksandrovna Vlasova-Afanasyeva (; born March 1, 1967, in Kulebaki) is a former Russian athlete who competed in the 800 metres. Her greatest achievements include a European title as well as a 1997 World Championships in Athletics, 1997 Wo ...

(born 1967), former Russian athlete who competed in the 800 metres *

Yelena Vladimirovna Afanasyeva Yelena Vladimirovna Afanasyeva (; born 27 March 1975) is a Russian politician. She was a member of the State Duma between 2003 and 2014. She is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia group. She attended Orenburg Educational Institute. ...

(born 1975), member of the State Duma of Russia * Yelena Akhaminova, former volleyball player for the Soviet Union *

Yelena Andreevna ''Uncle Vanya'' ( rus, Дя́дя Ва́ня, r=Dyádya Ványa, p=ˈdʲædʲə ˈvanʲə) is a play by the Russian playwright Anton Chekhov. It was first published in 1897, and first produced in 1899 by the Moscow Art Theatre, directed by Konstan ...

, play by the Russian playwright Anton Chekhov *

Yelena Andreyuk Yelena Valentinovna Andreyuk is a former volleyball player for the USSR who won a gold medal in the 1980 Summer Olympics The 1980 Summer Olympics (), officially known as the Games of the XXII Olympiad () and officially branded as Moscow 1980 ...

, former volleyball player for the USSR *

Yelena Antonova (rower) Yelena Petrovna Antonova (born 21 August 1952) is a rower from the Soviet Union. She competed for the Soviet Union in the 1976 Summer Olympics held in Montreal Montreal is the List of towns in Quebec, largest city in the Provinces and ...

(born 1952), rower from the Soviet Union * Yelena Arshintseva (born 1971), retired female race walker from Russia * Yelena Azarova (born 1973), Russian Synchro-swimmer *

Yelena Baranova Elena Viktorovna Baranova (; born 28 January 1972) is a Russian former professional basketball player. She is a former Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) player, where she became the first player from Europe in 1997 WNBA inaugural s ...

(born 1972), Russian professional basketball player *

Yelena Baturina Yelena Nikolayevna Baturina (; born 8 March 1963) is an international billionaire businesswoman and a philanthropist of Russian origin. She is based in Austria. She was married to Yury Luzhkov, mayor of Moscow (from 1992 to 2010), until his de ...

(born 1963), Russian oligarch, Russia's richest woman * Yelena Bekman-Shcherbina (1882–1951), Russian pianist, composer and teacher * Yelena Belevskaya (born 1963), retired athlete who represented the USSR until 1991 and Belarus since 1992 * Yelena Belova (biathlete) (born 1965), Russian former biathlete who competed in the 1992 Winter Olympics *

Yelena Belyakova Yelena Belyakova (; born 7 April 1976 in Moscow Moscow is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Russia by population, largest city of Russia, standing on the Moskva (river), Moskva River in Central Russia. It has a popu ...

(born 1976), former pole vaulter from Russia *

Yelena Bet Yelena Bet (sometimes listed as Alana Bets, born 2 May 1976) is a Belarusian sprint canoeist who competed in the early to mid-2000s. Competing in two Summer Olympics, she earned her best finish of sixth in the K-4 500 m event at Sydney in 2000 ...

(born 1976), Belarusian sprint canoeist who competed in the early to mid-2000s *

Yelena Bolsun Yelena Ivanovna Bolsun (; born March 10, 1983, in Irkutsk) is a Russian female former sprinter who specialised in the 200 metres. She represented her country in that discipline at the 2004 Summer Olympics, reaching the quarter-finals. She compete ...

(born 1983), Russian female sprint athlete *

Yelena Bondarchuk Yelena Sergeyevna Bondarchuk (; 31 July 1962 – 7 November 2009) was a Soviet and Russian stage and film actress. Biography She was one of three children born to actors Sergei Bondarchuk (1920–1994, died from heart attack) and Irina Skobtsev ...

(1962–2009), Soviet and Russian stage and film actress *

Yelena Bonner Yelena Georgiyevna Bonner (; 15 February 1923 – 18 June 2011) was a human rights activist in the former Soviet Union and wife of the physicist Andrei Sakharov. During her decades as a dissident, Bonner was noted for her characteristic blunt h ...

(1923–2011), human rights activist in the former Soviet Union, wife of dissident Andrei Sakharov *

Yelena Burukhina Yelena Burukhina (born March 9, 1977) is a former Russian cross-country skier who has competed since 1996. She won two medals at the 2003 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships with a silver (30 km) and a bronze (4 × 5 km relay). Burukin ...

(born 1977), former Russian cross country skier who has competed since 1996 *

Yelena Leonova Elena Rudolfovna Leonova (; born 12 July 1973) is a Russian former pair skater. Representing the Soviet Union with Gennadi Krasnitski, she won the 1987 NHK Trophy, the 1989 Skate Canada International, and two World Junior Championships (1986 ...

(born 1973), former Soviet pair skater *

Yelena Chernykh Yelena Chernykh (Cyrillic: Елена Черных) (August 24, 1979 – October 4, 2011) was a Russian theatre actress. She has been called "хрупкая красавица и вместе с тем необычайно выносливая ...

(1979–2011), Russian theatre actress *

Yelena Churakova Yelena Anatolyevna Churakova (; born December 16, 1986) is a Russian track and field athlete who specialises in the 400 metres hurdles. She participated in the 2012 Olympics, reaching a semifinal. In January 2013, she tested positive for testoste ...

(born 1986), Russian track and field athlete who specialises in the 400 metres hurdles *

Yelena Prokopcuka Yelena or Jelena is a feminine given name. It is the Russian form of Helen, written Елена in Russian. Notable people called Yelena * Yelena Afanasyeva (athlete) (born 1967), former Russian athlete who competed in the 800 metres * Yelen ...

(born 1976), Latvian long-distance runner, won the New York City Marathon in 2005 and 2006 *

Yelena Smurova Elena Yurievna Smurova (, born 18 January 1974) is a Russian water polo player, who won the bronze medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics. She was the top scorer of the 2005 FINA Women's Water Polo World League, scoring a total number of 31 goals. S ...

(born 1974), Russian water polo player, who won the bronze medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics *

Yelena Soboleva Yelena Vladimirovna Soboleva (, born 3 August 1982 in Bryansk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union) is a Russian former middle-distance runner who specialized in the 1500 metres. In February 2008 she established a new world indoor record of 3:58.05 min ...

(born 1982), Russian middle distance runner who specializes in the 1500 metres *

Yelena Davydova Yelena Viktorovna Davydova (; born 7 August 1961) is a Russian-Canadian gymnastics coach and judge who competed for the former Soviet Union. She was the women's artistic individual all-around champion at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. She' ...

(born 1961), former Soviet gymnast *

Yelena Dembo Yelena Dembo (born December 8, 1983) is a Greek chess player, who holds the titles of International Master and Woman Grandmaster. She is also a chess teacher and author. Family background Dembo was born on December 8, 1983, in Penza, Russia. Sh ...

(born 1983), Greek International Master of chess *

Yelena Dendeberova Yelena Yuryevna Dendeberova (, born 4 May 1969) is a former medley swimmer from the Soviet Union, who won the silver medal in the 200 m individual medley at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. She also competed in the 1992 Summer Olym ...

(born 1969), former medley swimmer from the Soviet Union, Olympic silver medallist *

Yelena Dmitriyeva Yelena Viktorovna Dmitriyeva, née Chaplina (; born 1 July 1983 in Astrakhan) is a Russian team handball player, playing on the Russian women's national handball team.Yelena Drapeko Yelena Grigoryevna Drapeko (; born 29 October 1948) is a Russian theatre and film actress. She has appeared in more than 30 films and television shows since 1972. She is also a member of the State Duma since 2000. Career On 19 December 1999 ...

(born 1948), Russian actress * Yelena Dudina, Soviet sprint canoeist who competed in the mid-1980s * Yelena Glikina (born 1969), Soviet fencer * Yelena Godina (born 1977), Russian volleyball player * Yelena Gorchakova (1933–2002), Soviet athlete who competed mainly in the javelin throw event *

Yelena Grishina Yelena Borisovna Grishina (; born 6 November 1968) is a former Soviet fencing, fencer. She competed in the women's team foil (fencing), foil events at the 1988 Summer Olympics, 1988 and 1992 Summer Olympics. In the 1989 World Fencing Championshi ...

(born 1968), Soviet fencer * Yelena Gruzinova (born 1967), retired female race walker from Russia *

Yelena Gulyayeva Yelena Gulyayeva, née Rodina (born 14 August 1967 in Moscow) is a retired Russian high jumper. Her personal best jump is 2.01 metres, achieved in May 1998 in Kalamata. She gave a positive drugs test at the 1991 European Cup, and was suspended for ...

, née Rodina (born 1967), retired Russian high jumper * Yelena Guryeva (born 1958), field hockey player and Olympic medalist * Yelena Ilyukhina (born 1982), Kazakhstani handball player *

Yelena Isinbayeva Yelena Gadzhievna Isinbayeva ( rus, Елена Гаджиевна Исинбаева, p=jɪˈlʲɛnə gɐˈdʐɨjɪvnə ɪsʲɪnˈbajɪvə; born 3 June 1982) is a Russian former pole vaulter. She is twice an Olympic gold medalist (2004 and 200 ...

(born 1982), Russian pole vaulter * Yelena Jemayeva (born 1971), Azerbaijani fencer *

Yelena Sokolova (long jumper) Yelena Aleksandrovna Sokolova (; born 23 July 1986 in Belgorod) is a Russian long jumper. She finished fifth at the 2007 European Indoor Championships, and won the silver medal at the 2007 Summer Universiade. In 2009, she won the silver medal a ...

(born 1986), Russian long jumper * Yelena Kashcheyeva (born 1973), Kazakhstani long jumper * Yelena Khanga (born 1961), author of ''Soul to Soul: The Story of a Black Russian American Family: 1865 - 1992'' * Yelena Khloptseva (born 1960), Russian rower and Olympic champion *

Yelena Kondakova Yelena Vladimirovna Kondakova (; born 30 March 1957) is the third Soviet or Russian female cosmonaut to travel to space and the first woman to make a long-duration spaceflight. Her first trip into space was on Soyuz TM-20 on 4 October 1994. She ...

(born 1957), the third Soviet/Russian female cosmonaut to travel to space * Yelena Konevtseva (born 1981), female hammer thrower from Russia * Yelena Konshina (born 1950), Russian composer and music educator * Yelena Korban (born 1961), retired track and field sprinter from the Soviet Union * Yelena Koreneva (born 1953), Russian actress * Yelena Krivoshey (born 1977), Russian gymnast * Yelena Kruglova (born 1962), former Soviet swimmer *

Yelena Ksenofontova Yelena Yuryevna Ksenofontova (; born on December 17, 1972) is a Russian stage and film actress, Honored Artist of Russia (2006). Personal life In 1994, Ksenofontova married Igor Lipatov, but their marriage ended in divorce. In 2003, she married ...

(born 1972), Russian stage and film actress, Honored Artist of Russia (2006) * Yelena Kurzina (born 1960), Belarusian slalom canoeist who competed in the mid-1990s * Yelena Alexandrovna Kuzmina (1909–1979), Soviet actress * Yelena Kuznetsova (born 1977), female race walker from Kazakhstan * Yelena Lanskaya, American film director, producer and editor * Yelena Lebedenko (born 1971), retired Russian heptathlete and triple jumper *

Yelena Lebedeva Yelena Lebedeva (born November 13, 1977) is an Uzbekistani sprint canoer who competed in the mid-1990s. She was eliminated in the semifinals of the K-4 500 m event at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta Atlanta ( ) is the List of capital ...

(born 1977), Uzbekistani sprint canoeist who competed in the mid-1990s *

Yelena Leuchanka Yelena Leuchanka (; born 30 April 1983) is a Belarusian professional women's basketball player who last played for Panathinaikos. Biography Prior to joining the Dream for their inaugural 2008 season, Leuchanka was a member of the Charlotte Sti ...

(born 1983), Belarusian professional women's basketball player *

Yelena Lyubimova Yelena Aleksandrovna Lyubimova (Russian: Елена Александровна Любимова; 1925 – 22 April 1985) was a Soviet geologist known for her geothermal research and as one of the first women geophysicists from the Soviet Union to ...

(1925–1985), Soviet geologist known for her geothermal research * Yelena Maglevannaya (born 1981), Russian free-lance journalist for the newspaper Svobodnoye Slovo, Free Speech, in Volgograd * Yelena Masyuk (born 1966), Russian television journalist, covered the First and Second Chechen Wars and her 1997 abduction * Yelena Matiyevskaya (born 1961), Russian former rower who competed in the 1980 Summer Olympics * Yelena Melnikova (born 1971), Russian former biathlete who competed in the 1992 Winter Olympics * Yelena Migunova (born 1984), in Kazan is a Russian sprint athlete * Yelena Mikulich (born 1977), Belarus rower *

Yelena Miroshina Yelena Nikolaevna Miroshina (, 5 June 1974 – 18 December 1995) was a Russian diver, best known for twice winning the gold medal at the European Championships in the 10 m platform, and winning Olympic silver in 1992, where in the final sh ...

(1974–1995), female diver from Russia * Yelena Motalova (born 1971), long-distance runner from Russia * Yelena Mukhina (born 1960), Soviet Gymnast * Yelena Nechayeva (born 1979), Russian fencer * Yelena Nikolayeva (born 1966), Russian race walker * Yelena Nikolayeva (journalist) (born 1985) * Yelena Ovchinnikova (born 1982), Russian competitor in synchronized swimming *

Yelena Alexandrovna Panova Yelena Aleksandrovna Panova, often spelled Elena Panova, (; born April 26, 1979) is a female bodybuilder from Voronezh, Russia Background Elena graduated from the Voronezh State Technical University with a master's degree in Public Relations. ...

, often Elena Panova (born 1979), professional female bodybuilder from Voronezh, Russia * Yelena Viktorovna Panova also Elena Panova (born 1977), Russian actress from Arkhangelsk *

Yelena Parfenova Yelena Vladimirovna Parfyonova (; born 26 January 1974 in North Kazakhstan Region, Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic, Kazakh SSR) is a retired Kazakhstani triple jumper. Her personal best jump is 14.33 metres, achieved in June 2008 in Almaty. ...

(born 1974), Kazakhstani triple jumper * Yelena Parkhomenko (born 1982), Azerbaijani volleyball player * Yelena Partova (born 1985), Kazakhstani handball player * Yelena Pavlova (born 1978), female volleyball player from Kazakhstan * Yelena Pershina (born 1963), retired female long jumper from Kazakhstan * Yelena Petrova (born 1966), Russian former judoka who competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics * Yelena Petushkova (1940–2007), Russian and former Soviet equestrian who won three Olympic medals * Yelena Plotnikova (born 1978), female volleyball player from Russia * Yelena Polenova (1850–1898), Russian painter and designer, sister of Vasily Polenov * Yelena Posevina (born 1986), Russian gymnast and Olympic champion * Yelena Priyma (born 1983), female hammer thrower from Russia *

Yelena Produnova Yelena Sergeyevna Produnova, also known as Elena (; born 15 February 1980), is a Russian former competitive gymnast. Her senior international career lasted from 1995 to 2000 and earned her multiple world and Olympic medals. One of the most diff ...

, also known as Elena, (born 1980), female Russian gymnast * Yelena Prokhorova (born 1978), Russian heptathlete who won a silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics * Yelena Romanova (1963–2007), Russian middle distance runner * Yelena Rudkovskaya (born 1973), Belarusian swimmer and Olympic champion *

Yelena Sokolova (long-distance runner) Yelena Vladimirovna Sokolova (; born 27 December 1979) is a Russian long-distance runner. She ran at the 2010 Frankfurt Marathon and set a personal best time of 2:28:01 for eighth place.Edwards, Andy (2010-10-31)Fast Kenyan double in Frankfurt; 2 ...

(born 1979), Russian long-distance runner *

Yelena Ruzina Yelena Ivanovna Ruzina () (born 3 April 1964 in Voronezh) is a retired athlete who competed mainly in the 400 metres. She represented the Soviet Union and later, Russia. She competed for Commonwealth of Independent States at the 1992 Summer Olymp ...

(born 1964), retired athlete who competed mainly in the 400 metres * Yelena Safonova (born 1956), Russian actress * Yelena Sayko (born 1967), retired female race walker from Russia *

Yelena Shalamova Yelena Vladimirovna Shalamova (, born 4 July 1982 in Astrakhan) is a Russian rhythmic gymnast. She won a gold medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics The 2000 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, officially branded as Syd ...

(born 1982), Russian rhythmic gymnast *

Yelena Shalygina Yelena Yevgenyevna Shalygina (born 15 December 1986 in Shymkent) is a Kazakh wrestler. She competed in the 63 kg weight class at the 2008 Summer Olympics, where she won a bronze medal. At the 2008 Summer Olympics, s ...

(born 1986), Kazakh wrestler * Yelena Shubina (born 1974), Russian former swimmer who competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics * Yelena Shushunova (1969–2018), Russian (former Soviet) gymnast, World, European, and Olympic Champion * Yelena Sidorchenkova (born 1980), Russian long-distance runner who specializes in the 3000 metres steeplechase * Yelena Sipatova (born 1955), retired long-distance runner from the Soviet Union *

Yelena Skrynnik Elena Borisovna Skrynnik (; maiden name ''Novitskaya'') (born 30 August 1961) is a Russian politician. She served as the first female minister of agriculture of the Russian Federation between March 2009 and May 2012. Early life Skrynnik was b ...

, First female Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation between March 2009 and May 2012 *

Yelena Slesarenko Yelena Vladimirovna Slesarenko, née Sivushenko (; born February 28, 1982, in Volgograd) is a Russian high jumper. Largely unknown before 2004, she kick started the season by clearing 2.04 metres and winning the World Indoor Championships. When ...

, née Sivushenko (born 1982), Russian high jumper *

(born 1982), Russian middle distance runner who specializes in the 1500 metres * Yelena Solovey (born 1947), Soviet film actress *

Yelena Soya Yelena Igorevna Soya ( born November 9, 1981) is a Russian Synchro-swimmer. She won an Olympic gold medal in team competition in 2000 and won two European Championships (1999, 2000). She was a member of national team in 1999-2000. Her father ...

, Russian Synchro-swimmer * Yelena Suyazova (born 1989), team handball player from Kazakhstan * Yelena Svezhentseva (born 1968), retired female javelin thrower from Uzbekistan * Yelena Antonova (synchronised swimmer) (born 1974), Russian Synchro-swimmer * Yelena Taranova (born 1961), Azerbaijani paralympic sport shooter, silver medalist of 2000 Summer Paralympics * Yelena Tereshina (born 1959), Soviet rower *

Yelena Terleyeva Yelena Vladimirovna Terleyeva (Russian language, Russian: Еле́на Владимировна Терле́ева, alternatively transliterated as Elena Terleeva) (born March 6, 1985, in Surgut, USSR) is a Russian singer, best known for her char ...

(born 1985), USSR) Russian singer, best known for her hit "Solntse" * Yelena Tissina (born 1977), Russian sprint canoeist who competed in the late 1990s and early 2000s * Yelena Tregubova (born 1973), Russian journalist, a critic of the president Vladimir Putin and his environment * Yelena Tripolski (born 1967), Israeli Olympic sport shooter *

Yelena Trofimenko Yelena Nicolaevna Trofimenko (born March 20, 1964) is a Belarusian film director, producer, screenwriter, author, actress and poet. Biography Trofimenko was born on 20 March 1964 in Minsk, Belarus. In 1996, she became a director at the Belaru ...

(born 1964), Belarusian film director, producer, screenwriter, author, actress, poet * Yelena Tyurina (born 1971), retired female volleyball player from Russia *

Yelena Välbe Yelena Valeryevna Välbe (, née ''Trubitsyna''; born 20 April 1968) is a Russian former cross-country skier. She won a record 14 gold medals (5 in relays) at the FIS World Championships, including all five golds in the 1997 edition. She also w ...

, née Trubitsyna (born 1968), Russian former cross-country skier * Yelena Vasilevskaya (born 1978), Russian volleyball player * Yelena Vinogradova (born 1964), female track and field athlete who represented the Soviet Union * Yelena Volkova (swimmer) (born 1968), Soviet swimmer and world champion * Yelena Volkova (volleyball) (born 1960), former Soviet volleyball player and Olympic gold medalist * Yelena Yefimova (born 1948), Russian artist and sculptor and a member of the National Association of Art crafts and Guild masters * Yelena Yelesina (born 1970), female high jumper from Russia * Yelena Yemchuk (born 1970), professional photographer, painter and film director, known for her work with The Smashing Pumpkins * Yelena Yudina (born 1988), Russia skeleton racer who has been competing since 2005 * Yelena Zadorozhnaya (born 1977), Russian runner who specializes in the 3000, 5000 metres and 3000 metres steeplechase * Yelena Zakharova (born 1975), Russian actress * Yelena Zhupiyeva-Vyazova (born 1960), retired female track and field athlete from Ukraine

Fictional characters

* Yelena (''Attack on Titan''), a character in the manga series ''

Attack on Titan is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hajime Isayama. It is set in a world where humanity is forced to live in cities surrounded by three enormous walls that protect them from gigantic man-eating humanoids referred to a ...

'' *

Yelena Belova Yelena Belova () is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Devin Grayson and artist J. G. Jones, the character appeared as a sketch in ''Marvel Knights: Wave 2 Sketchbook'' #1 (Janu ...

, a character in the

Marvel Comics Marvel Comics is a New York City–based comic book publishing, publisher, a property of the Walt Disney Company since December 31, 2009, and a subsidiary of Disney Publishing Worldwide since March 2023. Marvel was founded in 1939 by Martin G ...

universe using the codename Black Widow

External links

Yelena at Behind the NameYelena at Thinkbabynames
{{given name Russian feminine given names Feminine given names

Notable people called Yelena

Fictional characters

See also

External links