Girl

Lena

LAY-nuh

Beautiful But Not Top 100 ↑ Rising

✦ Meaning

“Short form of Helena, from Greek 'helene' meaning 'torch' or 'shining light,' popular across Scandinavian and Germanic cultures as an independent name.”

Popularity Over Time

Lena US popularity rank over timeRank 575 in 1993 to rank 51 in 1901. Lower rank numbers are more popular.#51#313#5751900192019401960198020002024

Currently ranked #263 in the United States.

Origin

GermanGreekScandinavian

Syllables

2

Style

ClassicModernMinimalElegant

Famous Bearers

  • Lena Dunham (filmmaker)
  • Lena Headey (actress)
  • Lena (biblical)

Collections

Works Everywhere → Beautiful But Not Top 100 → Short & Strong → Scandinavian Names → Two Syllables → Vintage Revival →

Similar Names

Lina

Greek Beautiful But Not Top 100

Lila

Arabic Beautiful But Not Top 100

Leah

Hebrew Top 100

Liv

Old Norse Beautiful But Not Top 100

Leia

Hebrew Beautiful But Not Top 100

Sibling Name Ideas

Lina

Greek Beautiful But Not Top 100

Lucy

Latin Top 50

Clara

Latin Top 100

Isla

Scottish Top 50

You Might Also Like

Christof

Germanic Rare & Uncommon

Aksel

Hebrew Rare & Uncommon

Alva

Scandinavian Rare & Uncommon

Birget

Celtic Rare & Uncommon

Birgit

Celtic Rare & Uncommon

Boel

Old Norse Rare & Uncommon

Cross-Cultural Notes

Works across Scandinavian, German, Greek, and English-speaking cultures

People Also Ask

Short form of Helena, from Greek 'helene' meaning 'torch' or 'shining light,' popular across Scandinavian and Germanic cultures as an independent name.

Lena is currently ranked #263 in the United States. It's trending up as more parents discover it.

Lena works beautifully as a full name and does not lend itself to an obvious short form. Most parents see that as a feature.

Names that pair beautifully with Lena include Lina, Lucy, Clara, Isla.