Selena Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

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

Fact: The name’s meaning, “moon,” symbolizes illumination, change, and cycles.

Continue Reading…
A Deep Dive

Selena Overview

Meaning

Moon

Gender

Girl

Origin

Greek

Etymology

Derived from the Greek name “Selene,” meaning “moon.”

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/səˈliːnə/

Popularity

Selena is cherished in many cultures, including Latin America and Greece. In 2023, Selena ranked #282 for girls in the USA.

Syllable

3 syllables

Length

6 letters

Numerology

2 (Cooperative, Adaptable, Considerate)

Name Styles

Exotic, Mythological, Popular, Nature-inspired

Associated Traits

Graceful, serene, mystical

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Often associated with the Greek goddess Selene, the personification of the moon.

Name Day

November 15th (Greece)
A Deep Dive

Selena Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Selene, Serena, Celina, Selina, Seren, Seline

Common Nicknames

Lena, Leni, Selly, Seli, Lala, Sisi

Diminutives

Sel, Sena, Lina, Lena, Sela

Famous People

  • Selena Quintanilla
    (American Singer)
  • Selena Gomez
    (American Actress and Singer)
  • Selena Royle
    (American Actress)
  • Selena Steele
    (American Former Adult Film Actress)
  • Selena Lee
    (Canadian Actress)
  • Selena Slaven
    (American Model)
  • Selena Roberts
    (American Journalist)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Selena Quintanilla
    ("Selena," Film)
  • Selena
    ("Selena: The Series," TV Series)
  • "Selena"
    (Album)
  • Selena Kyle
    ("Batman Returns," Film)
  • Selena
    ("The Dead Don't Die," Film)
  • "Selena: Como la Flor"
    (Play)
  • Selena Gomez
    ("Wizards of Waverly Place," TV Series)

Places

  • Selena Park
    (Texas, USA)
  • Selena Bay
    (Red Sea, Egypt)

What Is the Meaning of Selena?

Selena means “moon” or “goddess of the moon.” People named Selena are often viewed as serene and graceful, with a strong sense of mystery and allure.

What Is the Origin of The Name Selena?

The name Selena has Greek origins, derived from the word “Selene,” which means “moon.” In Greek mythology, Selene was the goddess of the moon, highlighting the name’s celestial roots.

Selena Name Popularity

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

United States flagUnited States#2032021#2392022#2292023
Top 3 Rankings#911995#1391998#1421996

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Selena

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023229
(+10 from 2022)
1304
(+27 from 2022)
0.07455
2022239
(-36 from 2021)
1277
(-175 from 2021)
0.07122
2021203
(+40 from 2020)
1452
(+212 from 2020)
0.08105
2020243
(-9 from 2019)
1240
(-93 from 2019)
0.07015
2019234
(+14 from 2018)
1333
(+18 from 2018)
0.07265
2018248
(-5 from 2017)
1315
(+12 from 2017)
0.07071
2017243
(+44 from 2016)
1303
(+178 from 2016)
0.06897
2016287
(+34 from 2015)
1125
(+112 from 2015)
0.05811
2015321
(+24 from 2014)
1013
(+55 from 2014)
0.05193
2014345
No change from 2013
958
(+15 from 2013)
0.04897
2013345
(-41 from 2012)
943
(-109 from 2012)
0.04892
2012304
(+15 from 2011)
1052
(+67 from 2011)
0.05424
2011319
(+9 from 2010)
985
(+2 from 2010)
0.05083
2010328
(-6 from 2009)
983
(-34 from 2009)
0.05014
2009322
(+27 from 2008)
1017
(+60 from 2008)
0.05022
2008349
(-30 from 2007)
957
(-102 from 2007)
0.04595
2007319
(-35 from 2006)
1059
(-105 from 2006)
0.05004
2006284
(-42 from 2005)
1164
(-215 from 2005)
0.05568
2005242
(+16 from 2004)
1379
(+137 from 2004)
0.06795
2004258
(+9 from 2003)
1242
(+63 from 2003)
0.06155
2003267
(-21 from 2002)
1179
(-109 from 2002)
0.05876
2002246
(-32 from 2001)
1288
(-196 from 2001)
0.06521
2001214
(-21 from 2000)
1484
(-161 from 2000)
0.07491
2000193
(-40 from 1999)
1645
(-473 from 1999)
0.08243
1999153
(-14 from 1998)
2118
(-160 from 1998)
0.10879
1998139
(+18 from 1997)
2278
(+280 from 1997)
0.11751
1997157
(-15 from 1996)
1998
(-293 from 1996)
0.10465
1996142
(-51 from 1995)
2291
(-1534 from 1995)
0.11949
199591
(+210 from 1994)
3825
(+2907 from 1994)
0.19906
1994301
(+83 from 1993)
918
(+255 from 1993)
0.04709
1993384
(+221 from 1992)
663
(+288 from 1992)
0.03363
1992605
(+81 from 1991)
375
(+62 from 1991)
0.01871
1991686
(+93 from 1990)
313
(+50 from 1990)
0.01539
1990779
(-76 from 1989)
263
(-18 from 1989)
0.01280
1989703
(+145 from 1988)
281
(+69 from 1988)
0.01411
1988848
(-115 from 1987)
212
(-34 from 1987)
0.01102
1987733
(-79 from 1986)
246
(-36 from 1986)
0.01313
1986654
(-44 from 1985)
282
(-28 from 1985)
0.01528
1985610
(-86 from 1984)
310
(-58 from 1984)
0.01679
1984524
(-7 from 1983)
368
(+1 from 1983)
0.02041
1983517
(-3 from 1982)
367
(-24 from 1982)
0.02051
1982514
(-45 from 1981)
391
(-62 from 1981)
0.02155
1981469
(+2 from 1980)
453
(+2 from 1980)
0.02533
1980471
(-59 from 1979)
451
(-71 from 1979)
0.02533
1979412
(-56 from 1978)
522
(-75 from 1978)
0.03029
1978356
(-54 from 1977)
597
(-194 from 1977)
0.03632
1977302
(+128 from 1976)
791
(+327 from 1976)
0.04809
1976430
(+88 from 1975)
464
(+120 from 1975)
0.02952
1975518
(-84 from 1974)
344
(-102 from 1974)
0.02204
1974434
(-72 from 1973)
446
(-143 from 1973)
0.02848
1973362
(+133 from 1972)
589
(+232 from 1972)
0.03790
1972495
(-31 from 1971)
357
(-78 from 1971)
0.02214
1971464
(+128 from 1970)
435
(+138 from 1970)
0.02482
1970592
(+13 from 1969)
297
(+26 from 1969)
0.01621
1969605
(-23 from 1968)
271
No change from 1968
0.01537
1968582
(-34 from 1967)
271
(-23 from 1967)
0.01585
1967548
(-1 from 1966)
294
(-4 from 1966)
0.01712
1966547
(+33 from 1965)
298
(+26 from 1965)
0.01697
1965580
(+100 from 1964)
272
(+46 from 1964)
0.01488
1964680
(+31 from 1963)
226
(+20 from 1963)
0.01155
1963711
(-61 from 1962)
206
(-35 from 1962)
0.01036
1962650
(-16 from 1961)
241
(-16 from 1961)
0.01189
1961634
(+86 from 1960)
257
(+59 from 1960)
0.01237
1960720
(-34 from 1959)
198
(-16 from 1959)
0.00952
1959686
(-7 from 1958)
214
(+2 from 1958)
0.01030
1958679
(+718 from 1957)
212
(+155 from 1957)
0.01026
19571397
(+40 from 1956)
57
(+3 from 1956)
0.00272
19561437
(-128 from 1955)
54
(-5 from 1955)
0.00262
19551309
(-246 from 1954)
59
(-26 from 1954)
0.00294
19541063
(+115 from 1953)
85
(+18 from 1953)
0.00427
19531178
(-184 from 1952)
67
(-23 from 1952)
0.00347
1952994
(+122 from 1951)
90
(+21 from 1951)
0.00473
19511116
(+96 from 1950)
69
(+11 from 1950)
0.00374
19501212
(-48 from 1949)
58
(-3 from 1949)
0.00330
19491164
(+33 from 1948)
61
(+4 from 1948)
0.00347
19481197
(+93 from 1947)
57
(+7 from 1947)
0.00327
19471290
(+70 from 1946)
50
(+9 from 1946)
0.00275
19461360
(-246 from 1945)
41
(-9 from 1945)
0.00254
19451114
(-143 from 1944)
50
(-14 from 1944)
0.00371
1944971
(+280 from 1943)
64
(+22 from 1943)
0.00468
19431251
(-2 from 1942)
42
(+1 from 1942)
0.00293
19421249
(+252 from 1941)
41
(+14 from 1941)
0.00295
19411501
(+181 from 1940)
27
(+5 from 1940)
0.00217
19401682
(-533 from 1939)
22
(-18 from 1939)
0.00186
19391149
(+82 from 1938)
40
(+5 from 1938)
0.00353
19381231
(-12 from 1937)
35
No change from 1937
0.00307
19371219
(+261 from 1936)
35
(+10 from 1936)
0.00318
19361480
(-124 from 1935)
25
(-4 from 1935)
0.00232
19351356
(+125 from 1934)
29
(+4 from 1934)
0.00267
19341481
(-341 from 1933)
25
(-13 from 1933)
0.00231
19331140
(+180 from 1932)
38
(+7 from 1932)
0.00363
19321320
(+182 from 1931)
31
(+6 from 1931)
0.00280
19311502
(-385 from 1930)
25
(-19 from 1930)
0.00227
19301117
(-40 from 1929)
44
(-2 from 1929)
0.00377
19291077
(+133 from 1928)
46
(+6 from 1928)
0.00397
19281210
(+121 from 1927)
40
(+4 from 1927)
0.00335
19271331
(-198 from 1926)
36
(-9 from 1926)
0.00291
19261133
(+43 from 1925)
45
(+2 from 1925)
0.00366
19251176
(+152 from 1924)
43
(+6 from 1924)
0.00340
19241328
(-170 from 1923)
37
(-7 from 1923)
0.00286
19231158
(+10 from 1922)
44
(+1 from 1922)
0.00351
19221168
(-20 from 1921)
43
(-1 from 1921)
0.00345
19211148
(-45 from 1920)
44
(-2 from 1920)
0.00344
19201103
(+52 from 1919)
46
(+5 from 1919)
0.00370
19191155
(+205 from 1918)
41
(+9 from 1918)
0.00349
19181360
(-141 from 1917)
32
(-3 from 1917)
0.00266
19171219
(+8 from 1916)
35
(+1 from 1916)
0.00311
19161227
(-172 from 1915)
34
(-6 from 1915)
0.00313
19151055
(-83 from 1914)
40
(+3 from 1914)
0.00391
1914972
(+68 from 1913)
37
(+10 from 1913)
0.00464
19131040
(-80 from 1912)
27
(-1 from 1912)
0.00412
1912960
(-62 from 1911)
28
(+5 from 1911)
0.00477
1911898
(+43 from 1910)
23
(+2 from 1910)
0.00521
1910941
(-51 from 1909)
21
No change from 1909
0.00501
1909890
(+22 from 1908)
21
(+2 from 1908)
0.00571
1908912
(+125 from 1907)
19
(+5 from 1907)
0.00536
19071037
(-120 from 1906)
14
(-2 from 1906)
0.00415
1906917
(+51 from 1905)
16
(+1 from 1905)
0.00510
1905968
(-88 from 1904)
15
(-2 from 1904)
0.00484
1904880
(-185 from 1903)
17
(-6 from 1903)
0.00581
1903695
(+154 from 1902)
23
(+6 from 1902)
0.00827
1902849
(-54 from 1901)
17
No change from 1901
0.00606
1901795
(+38 from 1900)
17
(-3 from 1900)
0.00669
1900833
(+150 from 1899)
20
(+9 from 1899)
0.00629
1899983
(-264 from 1898)
11
(-10 from 1898)
0.00444
1898719
(+67 from 1897)
21
(+5 from 1897)
0.00766
1897786
(+117 from 1896)
16
(+3 from 1896)
0.00644
1896903
(+83 from 1895)
13
(+2 from 1895)
0.00516
1895986
(-136 from 1894)
11
(-2 from 1894)
0.00445
1894850
(-111 from 1893)
13
(-3 from 1893)
0.00551
1893739
(+169 from 1892)
16
(+5 from 1892)
0.00710
1892908
(-264 from 1891)
11
(-6 from 1891)
0.00489
1891644
(+83 from 1890)
17
(+3 from 1890)
0.00865
1890727
(+75 from 1889)
14
(+3 from 1889)
0.00694
1889802
(-209 from 1888)
11
(-7 from 1888)
0.00581
1888593
(+15 from 1887)
18
(+4 from 1887)
0.00950
1887608
(+123 from 1886)
14
(+4 from 1886)
0.00901
1886731
(-174 from 1885)
10
(-5 from 1885)
0.00650
1885557
(+83 from 1884)
15
(+4 from 1884)
0.01057
1884640
(+177 from 1883)
11
(+5 from 1883)
0.00800
1883817
(+91 from 1882)
6
(+1 from 1882)
0.00500
1882908
(-229 from 1881)
5
(-2 from 1881)
0.00432
1881679
(+157 from 1880)
7
(+2 from 1880)
0.00708
1880836
First SSA data recorded
5
First SSA data recorded
0.00512

American States Popularity Rankings for Selena

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

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#1092021#1112022#1262023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#1712021#2152022#2142023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#2522021#3142022#2222023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#1952021#2122022#1732023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#2452021#2642022#1692023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#2662021#3892022#2402023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#3232021#3922022#3192023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#2322021#2902022#2282023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#3042021#2542022#2972023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#3782021#3212022#3952023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#1282021#1222022#1652023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#3322021#2792022#2982023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#1852021#2812022#2132023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#3112021#1632022#2082023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#4882021#5262022#4722023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#3262021#4472022#4802023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#2962021#3472022#6852023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#2192021#2492022#2682023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#2192021#3782022#2942023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#4042021#4652022#5522023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#2892021#3032022#2422023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#3142021#3672022#3512023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#4662021#3712022#2692023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#1832021#2862022#3082023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#4182021#3202022#2972023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#2432021#6032022#5382023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#932021#882022#1002023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#1542021#1752022#2242023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#4652020#4632021#3912023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#2402021#1922022#2942023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#702021#1322022#1372023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#1842021#2102022#2602023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#3432021#3402022#4912023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#3412020#3382021#3852022

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#6682020#1802021#6682023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#3482021#7912022#3722023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#3032020#1582021#2952022

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#2442012#3292017#3192020

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2912012#1172017#1162021

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#3592021#4372022#2752023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1562018#2142020#1562021

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#2242020#2212022#2062023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1401997#2601999#2852019

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#2152016#1312017#1302023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1612007#2522013#2312023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#2041998#1132000#2082021

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#2132016#2562018#1632020

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1972006#2242010#2232016

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#991998#1161999#2002023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1071999#952000

Popularity Rankings for Selena in other Countries and American Territories

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

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#291998#111999#432002

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#1422021#1002022#5372023

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#1332013#1602014#1672015

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#1472011#1792012#1992013

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#2042020#2272021#1762022

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#1992010

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#2262021#2512022#2102023

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#5182001#2722021#2692023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#3632020#2892021#2872022

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#3652021#4932022#3152023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#4232015#3982018#3362019

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#5172021#3382022#5552023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#4322017#3542022

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#4651982#3802022#4392023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#4802019#4572020#3892021

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#4552022#5132023

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

Is Selena a Name for Boys or Girls?

The soft and melodic sound of Selena gives it a distinctly feminine touch, making it more suitable for girls.

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

Selena in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Selena Quintanilla (Singer, 1971–1995): A beloved American Tejano singer whose life and career were tragically cut short.
  • Selena Gomez (Actress, born 1992): An American actress and singer who gained fame through her role in the Disney Channel series "Wizards of Waverly Place."
  • Selena Royle (Actress, 1904–1983): An American actress known for her work in film and television during the mid-20th century.
  • Selena Steele (Actress, born 1961): An American former adult film actress who gained prominence in the 1980s.
  • Selena Lee (Actress, born 1981): A Canadian actress of Hong Kong descent, known for her roles in TVB dramas and films.
  • Selena Slaven (Model, born 1990): An American model and social media influencer with a significant online presence.
  • Selena Roberts (Journalist, born 1966): An American sportswriter and author known for her work with The New York Times and Sports Illustrated.
  • Selena Quintanilla ("Selena," 1997 Film): Chronicles the life and career of the beloved Tejano singer, Selena.
  • Selena ("Selena: The Series," 2020 TV Series): Follows the rise of the singer Selena and the challenges she and her family face.
  • "Selena" (1994 Album): A groundbreaking album by Selena Quintanilla that solidified her as the Queen of Tejano music.
  • Selena Kyle ("Batman Returns," 1992 Film): Also known as Catwoman, a complex character who walks the line between hero and villain.
  • Selena ("The Dead Don't Die," 2019 Film): A minor character in this zombie comedy who interacts with the main cast.
  • "Selena: Como la Flor" (2016 Play): A theatrical production celebrating the life and music of Selena Quintanilla.
  • Selena Gomez ("Wizards of Waverly Place," 2007 TV Series): Plays Alex Russo, a young wizard navigating teenage life and magical adventures.
  • Selena Park (Texas, USA): A neighborhood park in Houston offering various recreational facilities.
  • Selena Bay (Red Sea, Egypt): A coastal area along the Red Sea, popular for diving and snorkeling.
  • Selena River (Western Australia, Australia): A river in Western Australia flowing through the Pilbara region.
  • Selena Island (British Columbia, Canada): A small island located in the Strait of Georgia.
  • Santa Selena (Cagliari, Italy): A locality in the province of Cagliari in Sardinia, featuring beautiful beaches.
  • Playa Selena (Nayarit, Mexico): A beach on the Pacific coast known for its scenic beauty and tranquil waters.
  • Selene Valley (Thessaly, Greece): A valley in the region of Thessaly, offering picturesque landscapes.

Similar Names to Selena

Sibling Names for Selena

Parents Who Like the Name Selena Also Like