MallowbyNames

Lena

LEE-nuh · Depending on origin, either a short form of Helena (bright, shining light) or from the Persian word for lotus flower.

2025 rank (girls)
#279
Babies named in 2025
1,106
Peak popularity
1883
2025 frequency
1 in 1,453 girls
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Rising since 1989

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.

1k2k3k1880192019602000Most births 1917Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1880s8,691
1890s12,491
1900s12,703
1910s23,624
1920s22,844
1930s10,539
1940s7,367
1950s5,732
1960s5,193
1970s4,680
1980s4,583
1990s4,484
2000s6,097
2010s10,516
2020s6,935

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.

2020s
Fewermore per 100k girlstoo few 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

Variants: Lina, Leena

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.

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

L is for Lena, our favorite little girl.

L is for Lena…”

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

Make Lena's book

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

Questions parents ask

What does the name Lena mean?
Lena carries several meanings depending on its origin: from Greek it relates to 'light' (as a short form of Helena), from Persian it means 'lotus' or 'tender', and from Arabic it means 'gentleness'.
How popular is the name Lena?
In 2025, Lena ranked 279 in the United States, with about 1 in 1,453 baby girls given the name. It has been rising in popularity since 1989.
Is Lena a boy or girl name?
Lena is almost exclusively used for girls.