What kind of name is 'Yelena'?

The name Yelena is of Russian origin.
My parents were immigrants to the USA back in the late 1940's from Russia, (specifically the Ukraine) and I was born about 10 years later ; the first American citizen to the Kersha family.
My mother wanted to name me Tatiana (I like that a lot!) but my grandmother and father were against that and were pushing to name me 'Yelena'. My mother acquiesced . So, my name became Yelena Igorevna Kersha, (the Igorevna comes from the Slavic tradition of every child taking on the given name of their father as a middle name.)
When it came time to file for the hospital birth record, my mother was at a loss as to how to better 'Americanize' my name, so they looked to my 12 year old brother for wisdom. Apparently, his idea was to change my name to Eileen in the English and so I was dubbed Eileen Kersha from that time on.

The reason that I went back to using my original name
in some cases, is because:

1. It gives me a little more anonymity ....(well...until this is published!)
2. It ties me to my roots and the original intent of my parents.
3. I FEEL more like a Yelena than I ever felt like an 'Eileen'

If you are scratching your head and wondering...."Ok...that explains the given name but what about the hyphenated Michaels thing?????" Well, you see, my husband's given name is Michael and since I belong to him and we are one flesh, I have adopted his given name as part of my identity. So, sometimes he refers to me as Eileen and other times I will be Yelena.

Names are important to us. They are important to God as well. If you read your Bible, you will see many instances where God named a particular person for a specific reason. I want my name to stand to mean something to me and not just be a label that I am 'stuck with'. I don't know what name God has for me but I think he understands why Yelena-Michaels is a name I chose.

Some Biblical references on names:
Gen 5:2 Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.
Gen 16:11 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.
Gen 17:5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.
Exo 33:17 And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.
Mat 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Luk 1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.