Elara
Vibrant, shining, luminous, moon of Jupiter
Name Details
| Origin Language | Greek |
|---|---|
| Lucky Number | #6 |
| Lucky Days | Monday |
| Lucky Colors | Gold, Blue |
| Lucky Stone | Crystal |
What Does the Name Elara Mean?
Elara is a Greek name that carries the meaningful definition of "Vibrant, shining, luminous, moon of Jupiter". Rooted in ancient Greek, the language of the New Testament, classical philosophy and early Christianity, this name connects the child to a heritage of meaning, identity and cultural depth. Greek-origin names connect to the earliest Christian communities, classical philosophy and the literary tradition that shaped Western civilization. Many entered Christian use through the apostles, church fathers and the Greek text of the New Testament.
Families choosing Greek-origin names often value the connection to early Christian history, philosophical virtue or the classical beauty of Greek language and culture. Understanding the linguistic origin and cultural setting of a name like Elara helps parents make a choice that is both personally meaningful and culturally informed. Explore more names in our Christian Girls Names collection to compare options with similar roots and meanings.
In traditional name numerology, Elara is associated with lucky number 6. The colors Gold, Blue are considered favorable , especially on Monday. The gemstone Crystal is traditionally associated with this name. Numerology is a cultural tradition valued by many families — while it is not a science, it adds a personal layer of meaning to the naming process for those who appreciate these customs.
Explore More Christian Girls Names
Elara is part of our curated Christian Girls Names collection, where every name includes its meaning, origin, pronunciation guide and cultural context. Browse the full collection to discover names with similar meanings and origins — and use the compare tool to evaluate your favorites side by side.
History / Notes
The name Elara has no biblical history or references in scripture. It is a Greek name, from Ελάρα, of uncertain etymology but associated with brightness and radiance. In Greek mythology, Elara was a mortal princess, daughter of King Orchomenus, who bore Zeus a son—the giant Tityos—after Zeus hid her from Heras jealousy beneath the earth. The names modern significance comes primarily from astronomy: Elara is one of Jupiters moons, discovered by Charles Dillon Perrine at Lick Observatory in 1905. It is the eighth-largest moon of Jupiter and part of the Himalia group, named for mythological figures associated with Zeus. The name thus carries both mythological and astronomical weight—the mortal beloved of Zeus and the distant moon circling the largest planet in our solar system. In astronomical contexts, Elara is a small world, only about 80 kilometers in diameter, orbiting Jupiter at a distance of over 11 million kilometers. Its surface is dark, but its name means light. The names absence from biblical texts reflects its origin in Greek mythology and its modern astronomical naming, both outside the biblical tradition. The name carries the brightness of its meaning, the mythological story of hidden love, and the scientific wonder of a distant moon.