Jelka

Jelka is a South Slavic feminine name functioning as a diminutive or pet form of Jelena, itself derived from the Greek Helene, whose root is traditionally linked to the Greek word for torch or light, though some scholars connect it to the name of the Greek people, the Hellenes. The name is used primarily in Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia, where it developed independently as an affectionate short form alongside Jelena. It also carries an association with the Slavic word for fir tree, giving it a nature-inflected resonance in folk usage. Related forms include Jelena, Helena, and Elena.