A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Lena since 1880
Babies named Lena per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1917, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Lena's real moment was 1883.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 8,691 |
| 1890s | 12,491 |
| 1900s | 12,703 |
| 1910s | 23,624 |
| 1920s | 22,844 |
| 1930s | 10,539 |
| 1940s | 7,367 |
| 1950s | 5,732 |
| 1960s | 5,193 |
| 1970s | 4,680 |
| 1980s | 4,583 |
| 1990s | 4,484 |
| 2000s | 6,097 |
| 2010s | 10,516 |
| 2020s | 6,935 |
Meaning & origin
Lena is a short, elegant name with deep multicultural roots. First recorded in the United States in 1880, it reached its peak popularity in 1883, and after a long decline, it has been steadily rising again since 1989. In 2025, it ranked 279 with about 1 in 1,453 girls receiving the name. The name is particularly favored in Vermont, the District of Columbia, and Montana. Its versatility as a standalone name or a diminutive of Helena or Magdalena contributes to its enduring appeal. While its etymology from Greek suggests 'light', the Persian and Arabic meanings of 'lotus' and 'tenderness' add layers of richness, making Lena a name that feels both classic and fresh.
Lena has multiple origins. In English and Greek, it originated as a short form of Helena, from the Greek Helene, meaning 'light' or 'bright'. In Persian, Lena (لنا) means 'tender' or 'delicate', and is also associated with the lotus flower. In Arabic, it means 'tenderness' or 'gentleness'. The name gained popularity in the English-speaking world in the 19th century.
Where Lena 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.
“Lena” around the world
Where Lena lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
#24
in 2024
Ireland
16
babies in 2025
New Zealand
11
babies in 2025
Quebec
#48
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Lena
Names that share Lena's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Emma, Anna, Maya, Julia, Clara, Alisa, Alma, Gina, Karin, Karina, Karla, Kiara, Nia, Nina, Nola, Rita, Sonya, Tiana, Wanda, Adela, Adria, Akia, Alina, Ami, Anais, Annika, Anya, Aryana, Asia, Bela, Bettina, Cara, Claira, Danica, Deena, Delina, Dena, Dessa, Elda, Elia, Elina, Elli, Elma, Elsa, Esta, Francesca, Frida, Gena, Gilda, Greta, Hana, Ina, Jannie, Jonna, Katarina, Kira, Kora, Leyla, Lilli, Lina, Maren, Mari, Marlo, Marta, Meda, Melina, Meta, Mika, Miki, Milana, Milena, Mina, Mira, Miya, Mona, Nadia, Navi, Neva, Nita, Noma, Nona, Ola, Ona, Ora, Petra, Retha, Roma, Rona, Roni, Sade, Shani, Siara, Sonia, Taja, Tana, Teena, Tena, Theda, Tosha, Trina, Vera, Vina, Vira, Winona, Yara, Yetta, Yuri, Zaria, Zelda, Zena, Zola, Zora, Aira, Alida, Amalie, Angelika, Ania, Anja, Ara, Belia, Bianka, Bina, Calia, Celena, Chanda, Daina, Darya, Dava, Devina, Eila, Ellena, Elta, Elza, Emmi, Hertha, Jaina, Jani, Jina, Jovi, Juliane, Kalina, Karoline, Kateri, Kati, Katya, Kenda, Leni, Lera, Magda, Maja, Maris, Marna, Marni, Mattea, Melena, Melita, Mena, Mica, Milla, Mirna, Naja, Nella, Nena, Nessa, Nika, Nisa, Nivea, Nori, Oda, Oneta, Pia, Reena, Renna, Riana, Ricci, Riva, Romi, Romy, Sada, Safa, Sascha, Sena, Sera, Siera, Sina, Sula, Taina, Talisa, Tama, Taniya, Tanna, Tasia, Tesa, Tisa, Tobi, Tomi, Tona, Trena, Vanda, Vanna, Velia, Vella, Vena, Yana, Yuna, Zana, Zenia, Zina, Zita, Zona, Zoya, Adda, Ahna, Aina, Aisa, Aiva, Alesa, Alessi, Alicja, Alin, Alla, Alliah, Ama, Anara, Anica, Anina, Anjuli, Annel, Anni, Annica, Annya, Anouk, Arena, Arina, Arisa, Arma, Arta, Ary, Avila, Ayari, Bena, Brena, Bruna, Calina, Cena, Cerina, Cira, Clea, Coni, Conni, Conny, Coryn, Daena, Danai, Danyla, Dari, Dela, Dema, Dera, Dima, Dola, Drea, Drena, Ebba, Elea, Elexa, Elika, Eline, Elka, Elona, Else, Enna, Enza, Eola, Erina, Eryka, Erza, Evah, Evaluna, Evi, Fleda, Genea, Giannah, Ginna, Glena, Halina, Heydi, Hilde, Ieasha, Ikea, Ilani, Ilena, Ilia, Inda, Inna, Ireta, Ivah, Iya, Iza, Izella, Jahna, Janica, Jannis, Jara, Jasia, Jeena, Jera, Jerra, Joei, Jolena, Kaida, Kana, Karyna, Katera, Katha, Kathya, Katja, Katrine, Kendi, Kessa, Keyna, Kila, Kisa, Kiva, Klani, Lalah, Landa, Lari, Leea, Leida, Lenita, Letta, Leva, Litzi, Lore, Loreta, Lota, Loula, Lynde, Mada, Maila, Marja, Mayar, Mayola, Mela, Melana, Mera, Merla, Meron, Mikka, Milka, Monic, Monya, Mora, Myanna, Myrka, Nadja, Nalah, Narda, Natascha, Nea, Neita, Nela, Netta, Neyla, Nija, Nikka, Nikol, Onika, Otila, Raha, Reana, Rema, Resa, Rica, Rossi, Roza, Saran, Saskia, Selia, Senna, Serra, Sheela, Shelina, Sherina, Shina, Silva, Simi, Sonjia, Sonna, Syrena, Tani, Tatia, Tekla, Tela, Telisa, Tesia, Toshia, Tram, Tyna, Valli, Vara, Venna, Villa, Viona, Yaire, Yeni, Yohanna, Yovana, Yuli, Zayah, Zelena, Zelia, Zori, Zosia, Aara, Amai, Aneka, Anikka, Anu, Asja, Atasha, Atina, Aulora, Avanni, Aymar, Basha, Belem, Benay, Benna, Berdina, Blen, Calle, Caro, Catia, Chara, Clema, Conda, Cosima, Cuca, Dala, Dalena, Daleth, Davita, Dejia, Desa, Detta, Dore, Drina, Dyna, Effa, Eleia, Elesa, Elke, Ellina, Evea, Evora, Eylin, Fina, Geana, Genita, Genoa, Gola, Hena, Idali, Inza, Ioma, Itali, Janova, Jenaiah, Joia, Jouri, Juri, Kaari, Kaja, Kalla, Kalle, Kalyna, Kamera, Kaomi, Katori, Katreena, Kazia, Keenya, Kella, Kema, Kinga, Kla, Kova, Kyarra, Kysa, Ladana, Laela, Laelia, Lalla, Larua, Lauria, Leba, Lehlani, Leita, Leyda, Leza, Litha, Lucill, Manna, Marelin, Marga, Marka, Martyna, Meli, Melora, Minka, Mirra, Mishka, Miyori, Monna, Myca, Myna, Nanna, Nara, Nari, Naureen, Ndea, Ndia, Neeka, Neli, Nema, Netha, Neya, Nica, Niketa, Nil, Ninah, Ninel, Norina, Nyelli, Nyja, Obera, Onica, Onna, Orena, Osa, Ota, Padme, Pina, Pola, Raela, Ramia, Rika, Riko, Rin, Romey, Ronia, Saia, Senai, Senta, Seri, Shasha, Soniya, Sylvi, Talyah, Tanija, Tannah, Tazia, Teka, Telena, Tene, Tenia, Thanya, Thena, Tika, Tomia, Tria, Trini, Vala, Varina, Videl, Viera, Virna, Wana, Wiktoria, Xiara, Yalena, Yani, Zala, Zarai, Zarin, Zavia, Zea, Zeda, Zelina, Zionna, Azori, Camy, Celica, Elzina, Kanda, Kita, Miela, Nyella, Nyna, Pama, Surie, Vielka, Abrea, Adea, Adie, Ahni, Ahnika, Ahnya, Aleja, Aleska, Almee, Amaly, Anaka, Anda, Anikah, Annalena, Annina, Aranda, Arra, Atzi, Berdia, Bitha, Bona, Breta, Burna, Cailani, Candas, Cella, Cerra, Chala, Charina, Chella, Chena, Chyan, Cina, Clista, Clorene, Creta, Dalma, Datha, Deina, Delsa, Denina, Derra, Dim, Dinna, Elenie, Emika, Estera, Eupha, Fenna, Fryda, Gabi, Gelena, Gera, Giah, Gianah, Guila, Hanni, Helma, Henya, Ilka, Ineze, Ingri, Iria, Itha, Ivani, Jahni, Jeda, Jenova, Jhana, Jinna, Jlani, Joda, Jyra, Kamina, Katiya, Katora, Kemba, Kesa, Khlani, Khodi, Kida, Kiira, Kresta, Lalisa, Laneya, Lany, Laria, Lavra, Leily, Lenia, Linea, Liyat, Liyla, Loza, Luzia, Mata, Mati, Matylda, Mava, Mikita, Milian, Milika, Milina, Millena, Monik, Nalla, Namine, Neesa, Neira, Neleh, Nera, Nevia, Niari, Nikira, Octa, Omah, Orra, Ovetta, Petina, Prima, Raea, Raysa, Reka, Remee, Rhena, Rhesa, Rhina, Riata, Rini, Ritta, Rodina, Rola, Ryka, Sanda, Sanja, Sanora, Senya, Sevi, Shonya, Silena, Simora, Sofija, Soni, Sonnia, Stela, Syan, Tabia, Taima, Taisa, Tanai, Tema, Tenna, Thaila, Thalya, Tija, Trine, Tura, Tyrina, Vana, Vaniya, Veida, Veleka, Venda, Veya, Vika, Wilna, Winna, Xana, Yalina, Yanna, Yaritsa, Yarlin, Yasha, Yasna, Yeva, Yexalen, Yuriah, Zani, Zema, Zeni, Zhana, Zlaty, Zoa, Zofia
Brothers: Leo, Liam, Noah, Owen, Ethan, Anton, Jan, Milan, Ruben, Abe, Albin, Amare, Andreas, Bruno, Cass, Desi, Dino, Eduard, Emil, Evert, Gilmer, Hans, Hugo, Johan, Johann, Kairo, Leone, Leron, Lon, Marko, Markus, Matteo, Nat, Nico, Niko, Olin, Valen, Von, Adler, Aizen, Almon, Ander, Arno, Arvid, Bram, Brando, Cai, Carsten, Damen, Darek, Daris, Davi, Demian, Eren, Erich, Eron, Gasper, Hendrick, Jae, Jona, Kael, Kage, Kalan, Kamil, Karel, Karsten, Kasper, Kiel, Kyron, Lev, Lino, Lonzo, Loris, Makari, Matheo, Mattias, Micha, Mikal, Nicolai, Nikola, Nikolaus, Nils, Nima, Ole, Ren, Ricco, Sacha, Sander, Teo, Tino, Tytus, Yerik, Ab, Amarri, Andrik, Arber, Artin, Ason, Asta, Avin, Axell, Bauer, Bora, Calem, Caspar, Cisco, Cordae, Danzel, Dayron, Eriq, Eryk, Espen, Gavon, Gillis, Guss, Iann, Ilias, Ival, Ivo, Jaeger, Jaun, Jevan, Joh, Jorian, Kacper, Kaio, Kamen, Kanin, Kao, Kato, Kaz, Kei, Kelin, Keno, Kvon, Lelon, Leno, Levie, Lucah, Lukah, Lukus, Lyon, Milos, Miran, Miron, Montrez, Neiko, Neri, Nicco, Noriel, Novak, Pier, Primo, Raffi, Rai, Ramir, Reco, Reis, Roen, Rune, Sakai, Siah, Tajh, Talin, Tavius, Terez, Toma, Toren, Tyus, Yordi, Yurem, Zeth, Ziare, Alem, Alp, Amrom, Ante, Arkan, Artur, Aysen, Bawi, Behr, Bodin, Brahm, Calian, Chon, Claus, Daekwon, Davan, Deniro, Dez, Ebb, Edahi, Ein, Eisen, Eldar, Emileo, Emric, Esten, Eugen, Evo, Faizon, Fermon, Filip, Fredi, Fynn, Henrick, Jabe, Jakin, Janari, Jeno, Joran, Joren, Kaius, Kaiyan, Kamiri, Kano, Karlo, Kayn, Kert, Keyaan, Keyron, Khalen, Khiree, Kino, Kirin, Kiro, Klein, Kodah, Kyo, Lazlo, Liston, Lorik, Maks, Marik, Marx, Mattheus, Mayco, Mehkai, Meko, Michai, Miko, Min, Miro, Nas, Nieko, Nik, Nikodem, Nilson, Ollen, Orel, Oryn, Osiah, Owynn, Pao, Ralf, Ramar, Robel, Romir, Sava, Sevan, Sevon, Solan, Sony, Symere, Tavi, Tison, Torion, Travas, Valon, Vin, Xan, Yida, Yuvin, Zerek, Zorian, Albi, Cas, Diron, Enzi, Kazmir, Siler, Adante, Aimen, Alano, Almin, Amaro, Andric, Antino, Anzel, Asaun, Asser, Atilla, Avo, Axil, Baer, Balen, Benno, Bento, Boyan, Carlens, Caspen, Dejan, Dinari, Dmir, Dorr, Drago, Drin, Edras, Elick, Elmin, Elo, Elvan, Emerik, Emiel, Erian, Ermin, Frans, Gor, Halvor, Han, Havard, Imer, Iniko, Inri, Jahon, Jiren, Jumar, Jung, Kaian, Kaido, Karmine, Karo, Kaspar, Kiano, Kito, Koron, Kovi, Kuba, Laden, Larz, Leeon, Lenardo, Leng, Leniel, Leny, Levan, Lewi, Lui, Lukka, Mainor, Makbel, Marlos, Meba, Micai, Michi, Mico, Mikhai, Miking, Millan, Milon, Miquan, Mirko, Morio, Moritz, Mory, Nagi, Nalan, Nasai, Nivin, Noar, Oshen, Pavle, Rasmus, Reon, Revin, Rien, Ronon, Rowin, Selso, Sou, Steen, Suvan, Tahji, Timo, Valin, Yojan, Yoskar, Zoren
Names like Lena
Names whose popularity has moved with Lena's over the last 50 years.

