Declining since 1985, #2,387 for girls today.
Popularity of Rena since 1880
Babies named Rena per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1962, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Rena's real moment was 1885.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 1,219 |
| 1890s | 1,945 |
| 1900s | 2,117 |
| 1910s | 4,174 |
| 1920s | 4,737 |
| 1930s | 3,365 |
| 1940s | 3,577 |
| 1950s | 4,430 |
| 1960s | 4,719 |
| 1970s | 2,917 |
| 1980s | 2,313 |
| 1990s | 1,267 |
| 2000s | 1,105 |
| 2010s | 752 |
| 2020s | 487 |
Meaning & origin
Rena is a name of multiple origins, most commonly considered a short form of Irene or a variant of Rina. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1880 and reached its peak rank of 1885 in that same year, placing it at number 2387 in 2025. Currently, about 1 in 21,430 girls are named Rena, and its popularity has been falling since around 1985. The name has been most common in states like New Jersey, Illinois, and New York. While its meaning can vary from 'peace' to 'joyful song', its brevity and soft sound give it a simple elegance that appeals to parents seeking a classic yet uncommon choice.
Rena has several possible origins. It is often used as a diminutive of Irene, from Greek eirene meaning 'peace', or of names like Renata (Latin 'reborn'). In Hebrew, Rena can be a variant of Rina, meaning 'joyful song'. It also exists as a Japanese name, usually meaning 'beautiful', though this is less common in English-speaking contexts. The name has been in use in the United States since at least 1880.
Where Rena 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.
“Rena” around the world
Where Rena lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ren, Renie
Sibling names for Rena
Names that share Rena's style, for a brother or sister.
