Lena Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Lena Name Meaning

Fact: Lena frequently ranks in the top 100 names for girls in several countries, including Germany and Sweden.

Continue Reading…
A Deep Dive

Lena Overview

Meaning

Light, torch

Gender

Girl

Origin

Greek

Etymology

Derived from the Greek name “Helene,” meaning “torch” or “light.”

Pronunciation

/ˈliːnə/

Popularity

Lena is beloved in countries like Germany, Sweden, and Russia. In 2023, Lena ranked #261 for girls in the USA.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

4 letters

Numerology

5 (Visionary, Expansive, Adventurous)

Name Styles

Exotic, Classic, Short

Associated Traits

Elegant, gentle, radiant

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Often associated with Saint Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, and revered in Christian tradition.

Name Day

August 18 (Poland)
A Deep Dive

Lena Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Helena, Elena, Selena, Alina, Milena, Eleana, Elina

Common Nicknames

Lenka, Lenie, Leni, Lenia, Lenny-Bear

Diminutives

Lenny, Lee, Len, Lennie, Nell

Famous People

  • Lena Horne
    (American Singer and Civil Rights Activist)
  • Lena Headey
    (British Actress)
  • Lena Dunham
    (American Writer and Actress)
  • Lena Olin
    (Swedish Actress)
  • Lena Katina
    (Russian Singer)
  • Lena Zavaroni
    (Scottish Singer)
  • Lena Meyer-Landrut
    (German Singer)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Lena Luthor
    ("Supergirl," TV Series)
  • Lena Duchannes
    ("Beautiful Creatures," Film)
  • Lena Adams
    ("The Fosters," TV Series)
  • Lena Haloway
    ("Delirium," Novel)
  • Lena
    ("Lena and the Snowball," Film)
  • "Lena's Light"
    (Song)

Places

  • Lena River
    (Siberia, Russia)
  • Lena Delta Wildlife Reserve
    (Sakha Republic, Russia)
  • Lena Village
    (Illinois, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Lena?

Lena means “light” or “torch.” People named Lena are often seen as bright, energetic, and full of life, bringing warmth and positivity to those around them.

What Is the Origin of The Name Lena?

The name Lena has Greek roots, derived from the name “Helena.” It also has Latin origins, where it was used as a diminutive form of names ending in “-lena.”

Lena Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Lena in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#2922021#2532022#2712023
Top 3 Rankings#411884#421883#421887

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Lena

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023271
(-18 from 2022)
1149
(-70 from 2022)
0.06569
2022253
(+39 from 2021)
1219
(+130 from 2021)
0.06798
2021292
(-21 from 2020)
1089
(-52 from 2020)
0.06078
2020271
(-4 from 2019)
1141
(-104 from 2019)
0.06455
2019267
(+35 from 2018)
1245
(+143 from 2018)
0.06785
2018302
(+1 from 2017)
1102
(+20 from 2017)
0.05926
2017303
(-28 from 2016)
1082
(-62 from 2016)
0.05727
2016275
(-2 from 2015)
1144
(-18 from 2015)
0.05909
2015273
(+6 from 2014)
1162
(-6 from 2014)
0.05956
2014279
(+51 from 2013)
1168
(+186 from 2013)
0.05970
2013330
(+28 from 2012)
982
(+97 from 2012)
0.05094
2012358
(+2 from 2011)
885
(-15 from 2011)
0.04563
2011360
(+15 from 2010)
900
(+59 from 2010)
0.04645
2010375
(+41 from 2009)
841
(+74 from 2009)
0.04289
2009416
(+22 from 2008)
767
(+39 from 2008)
0.03788
2008438
(+11 from 2007)
728
(+13 from 2007)
0.03495
2007449
(+34 from 2006)
715
(+71 from 2006)
0.03378
2006483
(-17 from 2005)
644
(-10 from 2005)
0.03081
2005466
(+52 from 2004)
654
(+100 from 2004)
0.03222
2004518
(-14 from 2003)
554
(-13 from 2003)
0.02746
2003504
(+32 from 2002)
567
(+56 from 2002)
0.02826
2002536
(+19 from 2001)
511
(+40 from 2001)
0.02587
2001555
(-8 from 2000)
471
(-5 from 2000)
0.02378
2000547
(-11 from 1999)
476
(+4 from 1999)
0.02385
1999536
(-15 from 1998)
472
(-11 from 1998)
0.02424
1998521
(+7 from 1997)
483
(+34 from 1997)
0.02492
1997528
(+24 from 1996)
449
(+27 from 1996)
0.02352
1996552
(+21 from 1995)
422
(+22 from 1995)
0.02201
1995573
(-35 from 1994)
400
(-56 from 1994)
0.02082
1994538
(+37 from 1993)
456
(+42 from 1993)
0.02339
1993575
(-74 from 1992)
414
(-69 from 1992)
0.02100
1992501
(+15 from 1991)
483
(+33 from 1991)
0.02409
1991516
(+9 from 1990)
450
(-3 from 1990)
0.02213
1990525
(+24 from 1989)
453
(+41 from 1989)
0.02205
1989549
No change from 1988
412
(+14 from 1988)
0.02068
1988549
(-43 from 1987)
398
(-21 from 1987)
0.02070
1987506
(-11 from 1986)
419
(-12 from 1986)
0.02236
1986495
(-71 from 1985)
431
(-88 from 1985)
0.02335
1985424
(+22 from 1984)
519
(+54 from 1984)
0.02811
1984446
(+14 from 1983)
465
(+20 from 1983)
0.02579
1983460
(-33 from 1982)
445
(-68 from 1982)
0.02486
1982427
(+19 from 1981)
513
(+33 from 1981)
0.02828
1981446
(-12 from 1980)
480
(-19 from 1980)
0.02684
1980434
(+19 from 1979)
499
(+48 from 1979)
0.02802
1979453
(+8 from 1978)
451
(+23 from 1978)
0.02617
1978461
(-19 from 1977)
428
(-34 from 1977)
0.02604
1977442
(-3 from 1976)
462
(+13 from 1976)
0.02809
1976439
(-15 from 1975)
449
(-24 from 1975)
0.02856
1975424
(-12 from 1974)
473
(-11 from 1974)
0.03030
1974412
(+18 from 1973)
484
(+31 from 1973)
0.03090
1973430
(-18 from 1972)
453
(-25 from 1972)
0.02915
1972412
(+10 from 1971)
478
(-17 from 1971)
0.02964
1971422
(+13 from 1970)
495
(-12 from 1970)
0.02824
1970435
(+4 from 1969)
507
(+26 from 1969)
0.02768
1969439
(+4 from 1968)
481
(+19 from 1968)
0.02729
1968443
(-18 from 1967)
462
(-21 from 1967)
0.02702
1967425
(-34 from 1966)
483
(-63 from 1966)
0.02813
1966391
(+17 from 1965)
546
(+26 from 1965)
0.03110
1965408
(+1 from 1964)
520
(-49 from 1964)
0.02845
1964409
(+18 from 1963)
569
(+55 from 1963)
0.02907
1963427
(-5 from 1962)
514
(-15 from 1962)
0.02585
1962422
(-14 from 1961)
529
(-41 from 1961)
0.02610
1961408
(+21 from 1960)
570
(+50 from 1960)
0.02744
1960429
(-13 from 1959)
520
(+6 from 1959)
0.02500
1959416
(-6 from 1958)
514
(+1 from 1958)
0.02473
1958410
(-21 from 1957)
513
(-33 from 1957)
0.02483
1957389
(-4 from 1956)
546
(+10 from 1956)
0.02602
1956385
(-14 from 1955)
536
(-24 from 1955)
0.02603
1955371
(-16 from 1954)
560
(-29 from 1954)
0.02793
1954355
(-20 from 1953)
589
(-20 from 1953)
0.02959
1953335
No change from 1952
609
(+4 from 1952)
0.03156
1952335
(-20 from 1951)
605
(-22 from 1951)
0.03181
1951315
(-7 from 1950)
627
(-7 from 1950)
0.03394
1950308
(+2 from 1949)
634
(+6 from 1949)
0.03605
1949310
(-27 from 1948)
628
(-106 from 1948)
0.03577
1948283
(+13 from 1947)
734
(+28 from 1947)
0.04212
1947296
(-20 from 1946)
706
(+9 from 1946)
0.03884
1946276
(-25 from 1945)
697
(-27 from 1945)
0.04321
1945251
(-4 from 1944)
724
(-1 from 1944)
0.05378
1944247
(+1 from 1943)
725
(-51 from 1943)
0.05305
1943248
(-6 from 1942)
776
(-9 from 1942)
0.05406
1942242
(-24 from 1941)
785
(-10 from 1941)
0.05646
1941218
(-2 from 1940)
795
(-1 from 1940)
0.06380
1940216
(+2 from 1939)
796
(+31 from 1939)
0.06738
1939218
(-16 from 1938)
765
(-93 from 1938)
0.06746
1938202
(-1 from 1937)
858
(+11 from 1937)
0.07517
1937201
(-6 from 1936)
847
(-44 from 1936)
0.07687
1936195
(-12 from 1935)
891
(-76 from 1935)
0.08269
1935183
(-11 from 1934)
967
(-109 from 1934)
0.08898
1934172
(-7 from 1933)
1076
(-12 from 1933)
0.09941
1933165
(-10 from 1932)
1088
(-167 from 1932)
0.10401
1932155
(-6 from 1931)
1255
(-47 from 1931)
0.11344
1931149
(-5 from 1930)
1302
(-187 from 1930)
0.11796
1930144
(-6 from 1929)
1489
(-137 from 1929)
0.12765
1929138
(-6 from 1928)
1626
(-177 from 1928)
0.14047
1928132
(-2 from 1927)
1803
(-184 from 1927)
0.15081
1927130
(-7 from 1926)
1987
(-156 from 1926)
0.16070
1926123
(+1 from 1925)
2143
(-92 from 1925)
0.17420
1925124
(-12 from 1924)
2235
(-175 from 1924)
0.17695
1924112
(-4 from 1923)
2410
(-110 from 1923)
0.18600
1923108
(-1 from 1922)
2520
(-105 from 1922)
0.20120
1922107
(-3 from 1921)
2625
(-85 from 1921)
0.21041
1921104
(-6 from 1920)
2710
(-75 from 1920)
0.21177
192098
(-4 from 1919)
2785
(-87 from 1919)
0.22387
191994
(-1 from 1918)
2872
(-65 from 1918)
0.24450
191893
(-8 from 1917)
2937
(-67 from 1917)
0.24427
191785
No change from 1916
3004
(+135 from 1916)
0.26733
191685
(-8 from 1915)
2869
(-58 from 1915)
0.26425
191577
(-2 from 1914)
2927
(+668 from 1914)
0.28588
191475
(-2 from 1913)
2259
(+286 from 1913)
0.28357
191373
(-1 from 1912)
1973
(+70 from 1912)
0.30126
191272
(-2 from 1911)
1903
(+454 from 1911)
0.32435
191170
(-4 from 1910)
1449
(+18 from 1910)
0.32796
191066
(-1 from 1909)
1431
(+136 from 1909)
0.34110
190965
(-1 from 1908)
1295
(-36 from 1908)
0.35181
190864
No change from 1907
1331
(+93 from 1907)
0.37543
190764
(-3 from 1906)
1238
(+32 from 1906)
0.36689
190661
No change from 1905
1206
(-52 from 1905)
0.38477
190561
(-4 from 1904)
1258
(+30 from 1904)
0.40599
190457
(-1 from 1903)
1228
(+28 from 1903)
0.41992
190356
No change from 1902
1200
(-25 from 1902)
0.43135
190256
(-5 from 1901)
1225
(+9 from 1901)
0.43698
190151
(+1 from 1900)
1216
(-290 from 1900)
0.47831
190052
(-3 from 1899)
1506
(+347 from 1899)
0.47398
189949
No change from 1898
1159
(-161 from 1898)
0.46830
189849
(+1 from 1897)
1320
(+81 from 1897)
0.48150
189750
(-2 from 1896)
1239
(-79 from 1896)
0.49904
189648
(+2 from 1895)
1318
(+29 from 1895)
0.52303
189550
(-8 from 1894)
1289
(-71 from 1894)
0.52164
189442
(+4 from 1893)
1360
(+99 from 1893)
0.57634
189346
(+1 from 1892)
1261
(+27 from 1892)
0.55987
189247
(-2 from 1891)
1234
(+60 from 1891)
0.54866
189145
(+2 from 1890)
1174
(+37 from 1890)
0.59725
189047
(-2 from 1889)
1137
(+41 from 1889)
0.56381
188945
No change from 1888
1096
(-66 from 1888)
0.57923
188845
(-3 from 1887)
1162
(+158 from 1887)
0.61337
188742
(+1 from 1886)
1004
(+12 from 1886)
0.64598
188643
No change from 1885
992
(+116 from 1885)
0.64527
188543
(-2 from 1884)
876
(-30 from 1884)
0.61713
188441
(+1 from 1883)
906
(+106 from 1883)
0.65850
188342
(+1 from 1882)
800
(+103 from 1882)
0.66633
188243
(+7 from 1881)
697
(+142 from 1881)
0.60245
188150
(-7 from 1880)
555
(-48 from 1880)
0.56143
188043
First SSA data recorded
603
First SSA data recorded
0.61780

American States Popularity Rankings for Lena

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#1712021#2252022#2632023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#5322021#4052022#3962023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#1282021#1422022#1022023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#4562021#3262022#3532023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#2682021#2652022#4402023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#2422021#2042022#2252023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#2282021#1742022#2132023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#3542021#3222022#3802023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#3282021#2922022#4582023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#3292021#2862022#6192023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#3152021#3272022#3882023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#2452021#1942022#1822023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#2002021#1362022#1492023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#4302021#5172022#3372023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#2452021#2262022#2752023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#2352021#2092022#1892023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#5112020#3922021#3452022

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#2102021#1612022#2292023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#3032021#3682022#3352023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#5852021#4342022#3072023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#5532021#5272022#6402023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#3582021#3672022#3352023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#6482021#4222022#4862023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#3552021#1712022#2492023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#5582021#2532022#2832023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#1512021#2342022#1192023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#3772021#2802022#2592023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#3362021#3252022#3302023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#3982021#3422022#3882023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#2252021#1762022#2752023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#2782021#2512022#1382023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#2942016#2912020#3682022

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#2462021#1992022#1942023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#2082021#1622022#1552023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#3692021#5082022#3472023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#2182015#1272016#1622020

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#2402019#2292021#2312023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#2622019#3252020#1742021

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#3972021#3492022#3592023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#2322019#1882020#1752022

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#2492021#2482022#1502023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#932021#1162022#1992023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#992016#842017#1092018

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#2262020#2402021#1552023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#1342019#2392020#4172023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#2482015#2192021#1062022

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#4152021#3952022#4012023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#1711999#1922019#2002023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#2082015#572016#1372019

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#2122020#1992021#1022023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#891924#1311975#922023

Popularity Rankings for Lena in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#62020#52021#92022

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#92021#102022#112023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#182020#152021#172022

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#252021#262022#282023

Popularity in Croatia

Croatia flagCroatia#302021#322022#312023

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#312020#402021#302022

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland flagIceland#432021#2082022#1182023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#582020#562021#552022

Popularity in Greenland

Greenland flagGreenland#802019#662020#702021

Popularity in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina flagBosnia and Herzegovina#832018#672019#992022

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#852016#1182017#1682018

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#1262021#1702022#1652023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#2052021#1732022#1442023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#1722021#1462022#2002023

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#1552021#1822022#1882023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#1692019#1862020#2182021

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#2662021#2182022#2372023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#2342021#3422022#2642023

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#2552022#2592023

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Lena a Name for Boys or Girls?

Lena is considered a female name, known for its soft and melodic qualities that are often preferred for girls.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Lena

Lena in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Lena Horne (Singer, 1917–2010): An American singer, actress, and civil rights activist who became a star on stage and screen.
  • Lena Headey (Actress, born 1973): A British actress famous for her role as Cersei Lannister in the TV series "Game of Thrones."
  • Lena Dunham (Writer, born 1986): An American writer, actress, and director, best known for creating and starring in the HBO series "Girls."
  • Lena Olin (Actress, born 1955): A Swedish actress who has appeared in numerous international films and TV shows.
  • Lena Katina (Singer, born 1984): A Russian singer best known as a member of the pop duo t.A.T.u.
  • Lena Zavaroni (Singer, 1963–1999): A Scottish singer and television presenter who rose to fame as a child star.
  • Lena Meyer-Landrut (Singer, born 1991): A German singer who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2010.
  • Lena Luthor ("Supergirl," 2015 TV Series): A brilliant scientist and businesswoman who grapples with her family's legacy while forming an uneasy alliance with Supergirl.
  • Lena Duchannes ("Beautiful Creatures," 2013 Film): A young girl with supernatural abilities who struggles to break a family curse.
  • Lena Adams ("The Fosters," 2013 TV Series): A compassionate school vice principal who navigates the challenges of raising a diverse family.
  • Lena Haloway ("Delirium," 2011 Novel by Lauren Oliver): A teenager living in a dystopian society where love is considered a disease.
  • Lena ("Lena and the Snowball," 2021 Film): A young girl who discovers and befriends a lion cub in her backyard.
  • "Lena's Light" (2016 Song): A heartfelt ballad about finding hope and strength in difficult times.
  • Lena River (Siberia, Russia): One of the longest rivers in the world, flowing through Siberia to the Arctic Ocean.
  • Lena Delta Wildlife Reserve (Sakha Republic, Russia): A protected area in northern Russia, encompassing the Lena River delta with diverse wildlife and ecosystems.
  • Lena Village (Illinois, USA): A small village in Stephenson County, with a rich local history and community events.
  • Lena Park (Massachusetts, USA): A public park located in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, offering recreational facilities and green spaces.
  • Lenawee County (Michigan, USA): A county in southeastern Michigan, featuring a mix of urban and rural landscapes.
  • Lena National Forest (Arkansas, USA): A forest area offering hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
  • Lena Peak (British Columbia, Canada): A mountain peak in the Coast Mountains, popular among hikers and climbers.

Similar Names to Lena