Declining since 1985.
Popularity of Nena since 1880
Babies named Nena per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1963, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Nena's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 73 |
| 1890s | 108 |
| 1900s | 97 |
| 1910s | 218 |
| 1920s | 292 |
| 1930s | 224 |
| 1940s | 308 |
| 1950s | 827 |
| 1960s | 778 |
| 1970s | 458 |
| 1980s | 640 |
| 1990s | 322 |
| 2000s | 316 |
| 2010s | 191 |
| 2020s | 44 |
Meaning & origin
Nena, a Spanish word meaning 'girl,' has a long but quiet history as a given name in the United States. First recorded in 1880, the earliest year of Social Security data, it has never ranked among the top 1000 names. Its peak usage occurred in that same year, 1880, after which its popularity steadily declined. The name saw a brief uptick in the 1980s, likely influenced by the German pop band Nena, before resuming its falling trajectory since 1985. With no single state where it has historically concentrated, Nena remains a rare but recognizable choice, appealing to parents who favor simple, phonetic names with a sweet meaning.
Nena is a Spanish feminine given name that literally means 'girl' or 'little girl.' It originated as a term of endearment and affectionate nickname, entering use as a given name in Spanish-speaking cultures. The name saw a surge in international recognition due to the German band Nena (founded in 1982) and their hit '99 Luftballons,' though it also had prior use in Spanish-speaking communities.
Sibling names for Nena
Names that share Nena's style, for a brother or sister.
