Eleni is the Ge'ez form of Helen — from Greek *Hēlēnē* ("torch, light"). **Empress Eleni of Ethiopia (c. 1431-1522)** was the longest-lived and most influential Ethiopian regent of the medieval period. **Originally a Muslim princess of Hadiya** who married Emperor Zara Yaqob and converted to Christianity, she **served as queen consort, queen mother, and effective regent for 75 years** through several emperors. **She initiated Ethiopia's first diplomatic mission to Portugal in 1508** — beginning Ethiopia's first European alliance.
Featured in the *Royal Chronicles of Ethiopia*.
Eleni reduces to one — the number of Ethiopian empress-regent.