Lena
Lena is a girls' name of Greek origin meaning “bright, shining light.” It ranked #190 in the United States in 2025. A short form of Helena or Magdalena with ancient Greek roots, meaning 'torch' or 'shining light.
how do you pronounce Lena?
LEE-nuh
Hear it spoken aloud with our AI pronunciation tool.
what does Lena mean?
The name Lena means “bright, shining light.” It comes from the Greek language tradition.
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.
how popular is this name?
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2024 | #190 |
| 2023 | #198 |
| 2022 | #205 |
| 2021 | #215 |
| 2020 | #228 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset
who are famous people named Lena?
- Lena Dunham (actress/writer)
- Lena Headey (actress)
- Lena Horne (singer)
what names are similar to Lena?
Last reviewed April 30, 2026 · Curated by HushName editorial
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