A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Ena since 1880
Babies named Ena per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 56 |
| 1890s | 89 |
| 1900s | 274 |
| 1910s | 375 |
| 1920s | 427 |
| 1930s | 211 |
| 1940s | 142 |
| 1950s | 194 |
| 1960s | 244 |
| 1970s | 287 |
| 1980s | 176 |
| 1990s | 171 |
| 2000s | 289 |
| 2010s | 397 |
| 2020s | 255 |
Meaning & origin
Ena is a short, soft name with a somewhat mysterious background. First recorded in U.S. data in 1880, it reached its peak year in 1906. After a long decline, it has been rising again since 1985. In 2025 it ranked 3,459 with a 1-in-36,529 frequency. The name is most popular in Washington and California. Its uncertain etymology invites multiple interpretations, but its brevity and vowel ending fit a modern preference for simple, vintage-sounding names. Ena's revival fits a broader trend of resurrecting early 20th century names, yet it remains uncommon enough to feel distinctive.
Ena is most often considered a diminutive of Eugenia (from Greek eugenes, 'well-born') or a variant of Enya, an anglicized form of Irish Eithne (meaning 'kernel' or 'grain'). In English usage it emerged as an independent name in the 19th century, possibly influenced by literary works. Its origin remains ambiguous, with multiple possible sources.
Where Ena is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Ena” around the world
Where Ena lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Ena
Names that share Ena's style, for a brother or sister.
