Declining since 1986, #5,410 for girls today.
Popularity of Jena since 1900
Babies named Jena per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 6 |
| 1920s | 39 |
| 1930s | 31 |
| 1940s | 96 |
| 1950s | 378 |
| 1960s | 1,069 |
| 1970s | 1,753 |
| 1980s | 4,075 |
| 1990s | 3,301 |
| 2000s | 1,772 |
| 2010s | 563 |
| 2020s | 153 |
Meaning & origin
The name Jena first appeared in U.S. records in 1900 but remained uncommon until the mid-20th century. It reached its peak rank of 585 in 1986, with about 1 in 69,881 newborns receiving the name as of 2023. Since that peak, usage has declined steadily, reflecting a trajectory common among similar-sounding names like Gina and Jenna. Jena's top recorded states are not available, but it has been used across the country. The spelling variation likely arose as a phonetic alternative to established forms, contributing to its modest but enduring presence.
Jena is most likely a modern spelling variant of Gina, which itself originated as a short form of names ending in -gina, such as Regina or Georgina. Alternatively, it may be a respelling of Jenna or a feminine form of Gene. The name saw its peak popularity in the United States in 1986.
Where Jena is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Jena” around the world
Where Jena lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
25
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Sibling names for Jena
Names that share Jena's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Jena
Names whose popularity has moved with Jena's over the last 50 years.
