Rising since 1998, #7,133 for girls today.
Popularity of Yena since 1998
Babies named Yena per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2013, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Yena's real moment was 2022.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 83 |
| 2010s | 136 |
| 2020s | 87 |
Meaning & origin
Yena is a modern girls' name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1998. Since then, its trajectory has been consistently rising, reaching a peak rank of 7,133 in 2025 (the latest year of data) with roughly 1 in every 107,151 newborn girls receiving the name. The name's peak year to date was 2022, reflecting a recent surge in popularity. Geographically, Yena has been most common in California, suggesting possible influence from Korean-American communities. As a modern coinage, Yena lacks a long etymological history; its meaning is debated, potentially deriving from a Korean word for 'ancient' or simply created for its pleasant sound. This ambiguity is typical of many contemporary names that prioritize aesthetic appeal over traditional roots.
Yena is a name of uncertain origin, likely a modern Korean coinage. It may be derived from the native Korean word 예나 (yena), meaning 'old' or 'ancient', but this connection is speculative. The name has gained usage in South Korea in recent decades, possibly influenced by the fashion for feminine names ending in -a or -na. As a modern name, it does not have a long historical or literary tradition.
Where Yena is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Sibling names for Yena
Names that share Yena's style, for a brother or sister.
