Lena
Lena is a girls' name of Greek origin meaning “bright, shining light.” It ranked #279 in the United States in 2025. A short form of Helena or Magdalena with ancient Greek roots, meaning 'torch' or 'shining light.'
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how do you pronounce Lena?
LEE-nuh
where does the name Lena come from?
A short form of Helena, and also of Magdalena and of Yelena or Elena in Scandinavian, German and Russian usage, from the Greek Ἑλένη.
It has been a beloved name across Europe for centuries and gained wider appeal in the English-speaking world.
how popular is this name?
Lena has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 146 years since 1880. It peaked at #41 in 1884, and ranked #279 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #279 |
| 2024 | #262 |
| 2023 | #270 |
| 2022 | #254 |
| 2021 | #294 |
| 2020 | #271 |
| 2019 | #267 |
| 2018 | #302 |
| 2017 | #303 |
| 2016 | #275 |
| 2010 | #375 |
| 2000 | #545 |
| 1990 | #525 |
| 1980 | #434 |
| 1970 | #435 |
| 1960 | #429 |
| 1950 | #308 |
| 1940 | #215 |
| 1930 | #144 |
| 1920 | #98 |
| 1910 | #66 |
| 1900 | #52 |
| 1890 | #47 |
| 1884 | #41 |
| 1880 | #43 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Lena fell outside the top 1,000.
who are famous people named Lena?
- Lena Dunham (actress/writer)
- Lena Headey (actress)
- Lena Horne (singer)
the history of Lena
Lena is first recorded as a given name in Sweden in 1481.
what are the nicknames and variants of Lena?
what names are similar to Lena?
what names go well with Lena?
Sibling names that share Lena's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Lena
What does the name Lena mean?
Lena means “bright, shining light”.
What is the origin of the name Lena?
Lena comes from the Greek naming tradition. Related forms include Helena, Elena, Yelena and Magdalena.
How popular is the name Lena?
Lena ranked #279 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1884, at #41, and it has spent 146 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Lena a boy or girl name?
Lena is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Lena?
Lena is pronounced LEE-nuh, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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