Lena
Gender: Girl
Meaning: Light, bright, beautiful; alluring
Origin: Greek/Slavic/Arabic
Popularity: Ranked #279 in 2025 with 1,106 babies born.
History: Lena has been used in America since the 1800s. Lena Horne broke racial barriers in Hollywood with her beauty and talent. Lena Dunham created Girls, redefining millennial television. Lena Waithe made Emmy history. The name connects three generations of barrier-breaking American women. Lena means creative women who refuse to be ignored.
Name length: 4 letters
How common is Lena? About 1 in 3,009 babies born in 2025 were named Lena, or roughly 3 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Lena
What does the name Lena mean?
Lena means “Light, bright, beautiful; alluring” from Greek/Slavic/Arabic roots.
What is the origin of the name Lena?
Lena has Greek/Slavic/Arabic origin. The traditional meaning is “Light, bright, beautiful; alluring”.
How popular is Lena?
Lena ranked #279 in 2025 — given to 1,106 babies that year.
When was Lena most popular?
Lena peaked in 1917 with 3,004 babies registered that year.
Is Lena a boy or girl name?
Lena is predominantly a girls' name — over 90% of Lenas in registered births are female.
How long has Lena been recorded?
Lena appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.