Girl · 286th of 30,306
Lena
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
145,682
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1917
Peak Popularity Year
3,015
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Lena stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Lena originates from the Greek name 'Helena', meaning 'light' or 'torch'. It evolved through historical forms such as Helena and Elena before becoming widely used as Lena. The name embodies traits of elegance and warmth, with no direct biblical relevance. It gained popularity in the late 19th century and continues to be a favored name today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈliː.nə/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
Lena is derived from the Greek name 'Helena', which means 'light' or 'torch'. It can also be a diminutive form of names like Helena or Magdalena.
Meaning
light, torch
Language Evolution
Helena (Ancient Greek), Elena (Latin), Lena (Modern usage)
Historical Usage
Lena gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in various cultures, particularly in Europe and North America, often as a standalone name or short form of longer names.
Variants & Derivatives
Helena, Elena, Leni, Lenka
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Lena is viewed as a simple, elegant name that conveys warmth and beauty. It is popular in many countries and is often associated with creativity and strong character.
Famous People
Lena Headey, English actress, Lena Dunham, American writer and actress, Lena Horne, American singer and actress
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 3,015 peak births in 1917
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Mississippi
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 11 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 9 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 11 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2574th of 7545 | 162 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 3072nd of 6773 | 112 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 6287th of 7552 | 13 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 8999th of 10718 | 11 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 91st of 9107 | 54,236 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 191st of 9204 | 18,568 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 377th of 12526 | 11,199 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 439th of 19264 | 7,673 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 516th of 27321 | 7,161 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 475th of 35406 | 10,124 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 286th of 30306 | 13,707 |