A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Tena since 1880
Babies named Tena per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1962, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Tena's real moment was 1883.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 296 |
| 1890s | 391 |
| 1900s | 320 |
| 1910s | 464 |
| 1920s | 363 |
| 1930s | 212 |
| 1940s | 458 |
| 1950s | 1,656 |
| 1960s | 2,482 |
| 1970s | 942 |
| 1980s | 299 |
| 1990s | 130 |
| 2000s | 68 |
| 2010s | 60 |
| 2020s | 45 |
Meaning & origin
Tena is a name that has been in use since at least 1880, when it first appeared in U.S. records. Its peak year was 1883, after which its popularity declined. In 2025, it ranked 14,942, with only about 1 in 321,453 baby girls given the name. While its exact origins are debated, Tena likely functions as a diminutive of Christina or a variant of Tina. The name has seen a revival in recent years, with a rising trajectory since 2014, though it remains uncommon.
Tena is a name of uncertain origin, likely a diminutive or variant of names like Christina (meaning 'follower of Christ') or Tina. It may also be an independent coinage. The name saw modest use in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States, peaking in 1883.
Where Tena 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.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Tina
Sibling names for Tena
Names that share Tena's style, for a brother or sister.
