Declining since 2019, #6,116 for girls today.
Popularity of Zelena since 1989
Babies named Zelena per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 6 |
| 1990s | 27 |
| 2000s | 18 |
| 2010s | 187 |
| 2020s | 165 |
Meaning & origin
Zelena first entered U.S. records in 1989 and has remained a rare choice. Its peak came in 2018, when it ranked 6,116th overall (approximately 1 in 84,593 births). Since 2019, the name has been on a declining trajectory. Despite its infrequent use, Zelena's Slavic roots and nature-inspired meaning give it a distinctive appeal. The name is primarily associated with South Slavic cultures, but its similarity to names like Helena or Selena may contribute to occasional use outside those regions. No U.S. state reported Zelena among its top names in recent years, underscoring its niche status.
Zelena is a feminine name from the Slavic root zelen-, meaning 'green' or 'verdant.' It is used in several South Slavic languages, including Croatian, Serbian, and Slovene. The name evokes nature and freshness, and it may also be a short form of names like Zeljka or Zelenka. In modern times, it has occasionally appeared outside Slavic regions, partly due to its similarity to other international names.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Zelenka, Zelyena
Sibling names for Zelena
Names that share Zelena's style, for a brother or sister.
