Declining since 2003, #8,860 for girls today.
Popularity of Neena since 1939
Babies named Neena per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 53 |
| 1950s | 158 |
| 1960s | 130 |
| 1970s | 138 |
| 1980s | 268 |
| 1990s | 293 |
| 2000s | 395 |
| 2010s | 258 |
| 2020s | 77 |
Meaning & origin
Neena is a modern name that first entered the U.S. records in 1939. It reached its peak popularity in 2002, but has been on a slow decline since 2003, as indicated by the trajectory data. In 2025, it ranked 8,860, making it relatively uncommon, with only about 1 in 146,115 babies receiving the name. Neena is a variant of the more familiar Nina, and its sound fits well with other short, vowel-ending names like Mia and Leena. Though its meaning remains uncertain, its straightforward pronunciation and feminine ending have given it steady, if modest, usage over the decades. Parents drawn to Neena often appreciate its simplicity and resemblance to classic names without being overly common.
Neena is likely a modern English variant or respelling of Nina, a name of uncertain origin that may derive from a Spanish/American diminutive of names like Ann or Nina, or from the Russian diminutive of Anna. It emerged in the United States in the mid-20th century, first recorded in 1939, and saw increased use in the 2000s, where it is still used today.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Neena
Names that share Neena's style, for a brother or sister.
