Holding steady.
Popularity of Albena since 1889
Babies named Albena per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1917, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Albena's real moment was 1908.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 6 |
| 1890s | 15 |
| 1900s | 43 |
| 1910s | 182 |
| 1920s | 141 |
| 1930s | 10 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Albena is a rare feminine name with Bulgarian and Macedonian origins that has seen consistent low-level use since the late 19th century. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1889, and its most popular year was 1908, when it reached its peak count. Since then, usage has remained stable but very low, with fewer than five annual births in recent decades. Its trajectory is classified as stable, indicating no significant increase or decline in use. Albena is not concentrated in any particular U.S. state, suggesting a scattered presence. The name's etymology is debated, possibly rooted in Slavic or Greek words for 'white' or 'dawn', or tied to a Bulgarian seaside resort. While not widely known outside the Balkans, Albena offers a distinctive choice for families seeking a name with Eastern European heritage.
The name Albena is most commonly associated with Bulgaria and North Macedonia, where it has been used since the late 19th century. Its exact derivation is debated; it may be a feminine form of the Slavic root 'alb-' meaning 'white' or 'dawn', akin to Latin 'albus' meaning 'white'. Alternatively, some sources suggest a connection to the Greek name Albinos, from 'alpho' meaning 'white'. The name is also the name of a Black Sea resort in Bulgaria, which may have influenced its use. It remains relatively rare, but has consistent, if modest, usage in the Balkans.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Albi, Bena
Sibling names for Albena
Names that share Albena's style, for a brother or sister.
