Declining since 2009, #6,116 for girls today.
Popularity of Mena since 1880
Babies named Mena per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2008, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Mena's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 24 | 0 |
| 1890s | 37 | 0 |
| 1900s | 6 | 0 |
| 1910s | 60 | 0 |
| 1920s | 69 | 0 |
| 1930s | 34 | 0 |
| 1940s | 24 | 0 |
| 1950s | 56 | 0 |
| 1960s | 46 | 0 |
| 1970s | 87 | 0 |
| 1980s | 95 | 52 |
| 1990s | 133 | 31 |
| 2000s | 389 | 35 |
| 2010s | 333 | 43 |
| 2020s | 124 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Mena is a name with multiple potential origins, from a diminutive of Philomena to an Arabic name meaning 'port'. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1880, where it ranked 6,116th. Its popularity peaked that same year, but it has been falling since 2009. Despite its low rank, Mena remains a rare and simple name, with a soft sound and straightforward spelling. Its rarity may appeal to parents seeking an uncommon name with a gentle cadence.
Mena has multiple possible origins. In English, it is often a diminutive of Philomena (Greek 'lover of strength') or Menachem (Hebrew 'comforter'). In Arabic, Mina (مينا) means 'port' or 'harbor', and is also a place name. The name has been used in English-speaking countries since the 19th century, possibly influenced by the Italian name Mina.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Mena
Names that share Mena's style, for a brother or sister.
