Belen
Belen is a girl's name of Spanish origin.
Meaning
House of bread.
Origin and history
Belen is the Spanish name for Bethlehem, the biblical town recognized as the birthplace of Jesus. It is derived from the Hebrew name Bet Lechem, meaning house of bread. In the United States, it is a moderately popular name among Spanish-speaking communities and parents seeking a spiritual heritage name.
Popularity in the United States
12,287 babies in the United States have been named Belen since 1880. It ranks #1451 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #750.
States where it is most popular
- CA (43.2 %)
- TX (23.3 %)
- AZ (4.8 %)
- FL (4.8 %)
- IL (3.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 8 |
| 1910-1920 | 108 |
| 1920-1930 | 272 |
| 1930-1940 | 232 |
| 1940-1950 | 221 |
| 1950-1960 | 296 |
| 1960-1970 | 326 |
| 1970-1980 | 491 |
| 1980-1990 | 849 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,471 |
| 2000-2010 | 2,777 |
| 2010-2019 | 3,108 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,128 |
Famous people named Belen
- Belén Cuesta: Actress
- Belén Rueda: Actress, Model
Fun facts
- Belen comes from the Hebrew word Bet Lechem, which translates directly to house of bread.
- In Spanish-speaking traditions, it is often associated with devotion to Our Lady of Bethlehem.