MallowbyNames

Christena

kris-TEE-nuh · Of debated origin, possibly a feminine form of Christian, meaning "follower of Christ," or a variant of Christina.

Peak popularity
1886
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Declining since 1985

Declining since 1985.

Popularity of Christena since 1880

Babies named Christena per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1975, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Christena's real moment was 1886.

1733501880192019602000Most births 1975Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1880s167
1890s200
1900s144
1910s278
1920s274
1930s175
1940s209
1950s213
1960s227
1970s330
1980s336
1990s179
2000s82
2010s24
2020s6

Meaning & origin

Christena is a name with a distinctively 19th-century character, first recorded in 1880 and peaking in popularity in 1886. It has a steady trajectory of decline, with usage falling since 1985. The name is often considered a variant of Christina or a feminine form of Christian, aligning it with the broader family of Christ-derived names. Although it lacks recent visibility, its vintage appeal and straightforward pronunciation give it a classic, understated charm. Historically, it was more common in Scotland and among English-speaking communities, though it never reached widespread national prominence. For parents seeking a rare name with clear religious roots and a soft, feminine sound, Christena offers a distinctive choice that avoids modern trends.

Christena is a feminine given name that emerged in the 19th century, likely as a variant of Christina or Christine. It may also be a feminization of Christian. The name saw modest use in English-speaking countries, particularly in Scotland, where it was sometimes used as a Scottish form of Christina. Its peak popularity was in 1886, but it has since declined, rarely used after the mid-20th century.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Chrissy, Tina, Chris

Variants: Christina, Christine, Kristena

Sibling names for Christena

Names that share Christena's style, for a brother or sister.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

C is for Christena, our favorite little girl.

C is for Christena…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Christena's letter becomes Christena's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Christena's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Christena mean?
Christena is widely considered a feminine variant of Christian, meaning "follower of Christ." Some sources also treat it as a variant of Christina.
Is Christena currently popular?
No, Christena has not ranked in the U.S. top 1000 since the mid-20th century. Its peak was in 1886, but it has fallen steadily since 1985.
Is Christena a girl's name?
Yes, Christena is almost exclusively used as a feminine name.