Holding steady.
Popularity of Shena since 1952
Babies named Shena per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 64 |
| 1960s | 247 |
| 1970s | 642 |
| 1980s | 1,139 |
| 1990s | 234 |
| 2000s | 17 |
| 2010s | 13 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Shena has been recorded in the United States since 1952, though it has never entered the top 1000 most popular names. Its peak year came in 1984, when it saw its highest usage. Since then, its trajectory has been stable but low, with no significant revival. The name is a variant of Sheena, which is the anglicized form of the Irish Síne, ultimately connected to Jane and the Hebrew name Yochanan. This layered etymology gives Shena both a Hebrew and Celtic character, making it a cross-cultural choice that remains uncommon.
Shena is a variant of the Irish name Síne, itself an Irish form of Jane, which derives from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning 'God is gracious'. In Scotland and Ireland, Shena has been used as a feminine given name since the early modern period. Its use has been modest but steady in English-speaking countries, with occasional spikes in specific decades.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: She, Shen, Shey
Sibling names for Shena
Names that share Shena's style, for a brother or sister.
