Holding steady.
Popularity of Lene since 1949
Babies named Lene per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 10 |
| 1960s | 80 |
| 1970s | 43 |
| 1980s | 70 |
| 1990s | 25 |
| 2000s | 26 |
| 2010s | 18 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Lene is a Scandinavian short form of Helena or Magdalene that has been used as an independent given name in Denmark and Norway since the mid-1900s. In the United States, the name first appears in Social Security data in 1949, reaching its peak rank in 1967. Since then, its usage has been very low and stable, with fewer than 5 births recorded annually in most years. The name never entered the top 1000, reflecting its status as a rare import. Lene has not been associated with any top states, as its sporadic usage is scattered across the country. Its trajectory shows a consistent but minimal presence, making it an uncommon but recognizable choice for families with Scandinavian heritage.
Lene originated as a Scandinavian short form of Helena (from Greek Helene, meaning 'torch' or 'light') or Magdalene (from Hebrew, meaning 'of Magdala'). It has been used independently in Denmark and Norway since the mid-20th century. The name gained moderate popularity in the 1960s and remains a steady choice in Scandinavia.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Len, Leni
Sibling names for Lene
Names that share Lene's style, for a brother or sister.
