A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Zenna since 1890
Babies named Zenna per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2023, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Zenna's real moment was 1890.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 5 |
| 1900s | 6 |
| 1910s | 65 |
| 1920s | 59 |
| 1930s | 13 |
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 31 |
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 16 |
| 1990s | 21 |
| 2000s | 77 |
| 2010s | 137 |
| 2020s | 89 |
Meaning & origin
Zenna is a rare and modern-sounding name that first appeared on the U.S. charts in the 1890s, though its exact origin remains uncertain. It peaked in that same decade, with 1890 being its highest year of usage. After a long period of obscurity, the name has been rising in popularity since 1992. As of 2025, it ranks 8,362nd, with an incidence of about 1 in 133,939 births. The name has no strong association with any particular U.S. state, indicating its scattered, infrequent use. Its revival suggests an appeal among parents seeking a simple, zen-inspired name with a vintage touch.
Zenna first appeared in the United States in the 1890s, but its origins are unclear. It may have been coined as a feminine form of the name Zen (from Japanese Zen Buddhism) or as a variant of Zina, itself a short form of names like Zenobia or Zinaida. Its usage has been rare but has seen a modest revival since the 1990s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Zen
Sibling names for Zenna
Names that share Zenna's style, for a brother or sister.
