Elektra
A girl's name of Greek origin with 810 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Alternative spelling of Electra.
Elektra is a girl's baby name of Greek origin meaning 'shining' or 'amber,' from the Greek word elektron (the same root that gives us the word electricity). In Greek mythology, Elektra was the daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, whose story inspired Sophocles' tragedy and later gave Freud the term "Elektra complex."
The name also appears in Marvel Comics as a fierce assassin, and in the musical Hamilton as a powerful character. With its electric energy and mythological depth, Elektra makes a statement for parents who want something bold and classical.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Elektra is a girl's name with several decades of recorded use (1985–2024). Its Greek roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
Today, Elektra is an active part of the American naming landscape (ranked #5985), continuing to accumulate its own cultural meaning with each new child who carries it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Elektra climbed 891 spots in the last 20 years — from #6876 to #5985.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 94 | #6384 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 271 | #5082 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 379 | #5854 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 54 | #9777 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 12 | #10343 | — |
The Story of Elektra
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2005, Elektra is a name that defines a generation. Girls named Elektra are most likely born between 1995 and 2015.
How rare is Elektra?
Only about 1 in every 180,000 babies born in 2024 was named Elektra — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1985, peaked in the 2000s with 379 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Elektra by the numbers
- Would fill 17 school buses
- Meeting one Elektra per day would take 2.2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(33 years, 1985–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 20 | #5985 |
| 2023 | 18 | #6483 |
| 2022 | 18 | #6522 |
| 2021 | 24 | #5272 |
| 2020 | 14 | #7660 |
| 2019 | 25 | #5198 |
| 2018 | 21 | #5840 |
| 2017 | 27 | #4960 |
| 2016 | 21 | #6031 |
| 2015 | 29 | #4753 |
| 2014 | 26 | #5202 |
| 2013 | 26 | #5185 |
| 2012 | 33 | #4412 |
| 2011 | 27 | #5107 |
| 2010 | 36 | #4127 |
| 2009 | 52 | #3206 |
| 2008 | 49 | #3391 |
| 2007 | 63 | #2867 |
| 2006 | 76 | #2444 |
| 2005 | 79 | #2282 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elektra a boy's or girl's name?
When was Elektra most popular?
How popular is the name Elektra?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1985–2024