MallowbyNames

Tene

TEE-nee · Of uncertain origin; possibly a variant of Tina or a modern coinage.

Peak popularity
1972
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Tene since 1971

Babies named Tene per year in U.S. Social Security records.

102030198020002020Most births 1972Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1970s178
1980s75
1990s66
2000s5
2010s0
2020s0

Meaning & origin

Tene is an exceptionally rare name in American records. First recorded in 1971, it saw its peak usage the following year, 1972, with fewer than five births, and has since maintained a stable but vanishingly low frequency. As of 2025, it does not appear in any top states or popularity rankings. The name's meaning remains uncertain; it likely originated as a modern variant of Tina, a common short form of Christina. Because of its rarity, any reported usage over the decades is highly unusual. Parents drawn to Tene are often looking for a truly distinctive and short name with a soft sound. Its obscurity means it carries no strong cultural or religious associations.

Tene is a rare modern name with no clear etymology. It may be a short form or variant of Tina, ultimately derived from names like Christina or Martina. Its earliest recorded use in the United States dates to 1971.

Sibling names for Tene

Names that share Tene's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Tina, Tessa, Tara, Nina, Lena

Brothers: Tate, Cade, Jace, Kyle, Dane

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

T is for Tene, our favorite little girl.

T is for Tene…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Tene's letter becomes Tene's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Tene's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Tene mean?
The meaning of Tene is uncertain. It may be a variant of Tina or a modern invented name.
How popular is the name Tene?
Tene has never ranked in the top 1000 U.S. names. Its peak usage was in 1972 with fewer than five recorded births.
Is Tene a boy or girl name?
Tene is most often used for girls, based on historical U.S. Social Security data.