Malena
Malena is a girl's name of Spanish origin.
Meaning
Woman from Magdala, or bright, shining light (depending on root contraction).
Origin and history
Malena is a classic Spanish and Italian name created as a contraction of María Elena or María Magdalena. It gained worldwide cultural recognition through the famous 1905 Argentine tango 'Malena' and the 2000 film of the same name. In the United States, it remains a moderately used and distinctive choice for girls.
Popularity in the United States
4,058 babies in the United States have been named Malena since 1880. It ranks #2766 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1665.
States where it is most popular
- CA (34.7 %)
- TX (11.1 %)
- PA (9.8 %)
- FL (9.4 %)
- NY (8.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 6 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 6 |
| 1930-1940 | 11 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 45 |
| 1960-1970 | 111 |
| 1970-1980 | 462 |
| 1980-1990 | 288 |
| 1990-2000 | 483 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,234 |
| 2010-2019 | 976 |
| 2020-2029 | 436 |
Famous people named Malena
- Malena Alterio: Actress
- Malena Pichot: Comedian, Actress
- Malena Ernman: Opera Singer
Nicknames
Lena, Mally
Fun facts
- Malena is the title of a legendary 1905 Argentine tango composed by Lucio Demare, highly regarded in Latin American music history.
- The name gained global visibility following the release of the 2000 Italian drama film 'Malèna', starring Monica Bellucci.