Lena
Lena is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Ray of light, torch, or clear; also associated with Magdalene.
Origin and history
Lena originated as a short form of names like Helena and Magdalena before becoming an independent name. It carries meanings related to light, ray, or torch through its Greek roots. In the United States, it has been consistently used since the late 19th century and remains popular today.
Popularity in the United States
146,479 babies in the United States have been named Lena since 1880. It ranks #274 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #271.
States where it is most popular
- NY (8.9 %)
- TX (6.4 %)
- PA (6.4 %)
- CA (6 %)
- NC (4.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 8,691 |
| 1890-1900 | 12,491 |
| 1900-1910 | 12,703 |
| 1910-1920 | 23,624 |
| 1920-1930 | 22,844 |
| 1930-1940 | 10,539 |
| 1940-1950 | 7,367 |
| 1950-1960 | 5,732 |
| 1960-1970 | 5,193 |
| 1970-1980 | 4,680 |
| 1980-1990 | 4,583 |
| 1990-2000 | 4,484 |
| 2000-2010 | 6,097 |
| 2010-2019 | 10,516 |
| 2020-2029 | 6,935 |
Famous people named Lena
- Lena Horne: singer, actress
- Lena Dunham: actress, writer
- Lena Headey: actress
Fun facts
- Lena began as a nickname for complex names like Helena and Magdalena before gaining independent status worldwide.
- The name has maintained a presence in the United States top 1,000 baby names continuously since 1880.