Luna vs Lena
A side-by-side comparison of Luna and Lena — meaning, origin, pronunciation, popularity, and cultural significance.
Luna vs Lena: the key differences
Luna and Lena sound alike, so parents often weigh one against the other. Luna is of Latin origin and Lena of Greek origin; Luna means “moon” and Lena means “bright, shining light”. Both are used for girls.
In 2025, Luna ranked #27 and Lena #279 among girls' names in the US, so Luna was the more common choice, 252 places ahead of Lena. Luna overtook Lena in 2008; Luna peaked at #10 in 2022, Lena at #41 in 1884.
Both have 2 syllables; Luna has 4 letters and Lena 4. Either pairs well with siblings like Stella.
how do Luna and Lena compare?
| Luna | Attribute | Lena |
|---|---|---|
moon | Meaning | bright, shining light |
| Latin | Origin | Greek |
LOO-nah | Pronunciation | LEE-nuh |
| girl | Gender | girl |
2 syllables, 4 letters | Sound | 2 syllables, 4 letters |
Lu, Lulu | Nicknames | — |
Lune, Lunette, Selene | Variants | Helena, Elena, Yelena, Magdalena |
#10 in 2022 | All-time peak | #41 in 1884 |
Luna Lovegood (Harry Potter character); Luna Legend (daughter of Chrissy Teigen and John Legend) | Famous namesakes | Lena Dunham (actress/writer); Lena Headey (actress) |
The Latin word for moon, and the name of the Roman goddess who personified it. Unlike most names derived from deities, Luna required no adaptation at all — the goddess, the celestial body and the name are the same word. | Etymology | A short form of Helena, and also of Magdalena and of Yelena or Elena in Scandinavian, German and Russian usage, from the Greek Ἑλένη. |
| #27 | Popularity (2025) | #279 |
Luna is Latin for 'moon' and was the Roman goddess of the moon. Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter gave it whimsical charm. Chrissy Teigen naming her daughter Luna helped propel it from #110 in 2015 to the top 10. | Cultural Note | A short form of Helena or Magdalena with ancient Greek roots, meaning 'torch' or 'shining light.' It has been a beloved name across Europe for centuries and gained wider appeal in the English-speaking world. |
which is more popular: Luna or Lena?
Luna
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #27 |
| 2024 | #13 |
| 2023 | #10 |
| 2022 | #10 |
| 2021 | #11 |
Lena
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #279 |
| 2024 | #262 |
| 2023 | #270 |
| 2022 | #254 |
| 2021 | #294 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset
questions about Luna and Lena
What is the difference between Luna and Lena?
Luna and Lena sound alike, so parents often weigh one against the other. Luna is of Latin origin and Lena of Greek origin; Luna means “moon” and Lena means “bright, shining light”. Both are used for girls.
Which is more popular, Luna or Lena?
In 2025, Luna ranked #27 and Lena #279 among girls' names in the US, so Luna was the more common choice, 252 places ahead of Lena. Luna overtook Lena in 2008; Luna peaked at #10 in 2022, Lena at #41 in 1884.
Are Luna and Lena pronounced the same?
Luna is pronounced LOO-nah and Lena LEE-nuh. Both have 2 syllables; Luna has 4 letters and Lena 4.
Should I name my baby Luna or Lena?
Both Luna and Lena are beautiful choices. Consider the meaning, cultural significance, and how each sounds with your last name. HushName's free AI consultation can help you explore both options and find the perfect fit for your family.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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