Origin, Meaning, And History of Lena
Usually used as a pet name, the name Lena is a derivation of names ending with ‘-lena;’ hence, it is difficult to pinpoint its origin. It is the shortened version of Helena, Magdalena, and Yelena and can be of British, Dutch, Hebrew, Arabic, German, Russian, Persian, and Latin origin, depending on the culture. In German, it is derived from Helene, which means ‘bright shining light,’ ‘torch,’ and Magdala in Scandinavian, which means ‘from the tower.’
Lena being a diminutive of the name Helena or Helen, can be traced back to Helen of argon, or Helen of Sparta, considered the most beautiful woman in the world. She was the daughter of Zeus and Leda and was married to King Menelaus of Sparta. The legend goes that she was promised to Paris, also known as Alexander, by Goddess Aphrodite and was seduced and carried away to Troy, which resulted in the famous Trojan war.
Lena, also used as a shortened version of Magdalena or Magdalene, is derived from St. Mary Magdalene, also known as Mary of Magdala. It is found in the Bible that she was the first person to see the resurrected Christ.
Lena has been steadily winning the hearts of parents with multiple variations like Elen, Elin, Eline, Heleen, Leenah, Leighna, and Lenah, and Leelee, Na, and Leen are the popular nicknames.
Lena, as a name, evokes feelings of admiration and dedication and hence, has been part of several fictional characters. Lena Double is the protagonist in the 2018 science-fiction horror film “Annihilation.” Lena Adams Foster is another fictional character appearing in the American family drama television series “The Fosters” and its spinoffGood Trouble, played by Sherri Saum. Lena Burgess is a fictional character appearing in the fantasy book series for children “Fablehaven” by Brandon Mull.
Lena
How To Pronounce Lena?
Famous People With The Name Lena
- Lena HeadleyBritish actress, popular for her role in Game of Thrones.
- Lena DunhamAmerican writer, director, actress, and producer, known for creating the television series Girls.
- Lena Mary Calhoun HorneAmerican dancer, actress, singer, and activist famous for supporting the National Council for Negro Women.
- Lena Maria Jonna OlinSwedish actress, nominated for the Academy award, BAFTA award, Golden Globe award, and a primetime Emmy award.
- Léna BernsteinFrench aviator and the first woman to fly across the Mediterranean Sea.
Lena On The Popularity Chart
According to the Social Security Administration, Lena has been slowly gaining popularity in the US since the 1990s and has continuously climbed the popularity ladder as represented in the graph below.
Popularity Over Time
Lena has been a popular name over the last 20 years as depicted in the charts by the Social Security Administration.
Source:Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
The name Lena has always been on the list of the Top 500 names over the last 20 years.
Source:Social Security AdministrationNames With The Similar Sound As Lena
If you like the short name Lena and its charming sound and want a similar-sounding name for your younger one, here are some more alternatives for you.
Popular Sibling Names For Lena
Other Popular Names Beginning With L
Names With The Similar Meaning As Lena
Do you want a name that sounds different but has means similar to Lena? Here is the list.
Infographic: Know The Name’s Personality As Per Numerology
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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How To Communicate The Name In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
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In Sign Language
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In Braille Alphabet
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莫尔斯代码
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Name Numerology For Lena
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Lena?
The name Lena means ‘bright’ or ‘ray of light.’
2. What is the origin of the name Lena?
Lena has Persian and Greek origins.
3. How to pronounce the name Lena?
Lena is pronounced as lee-nuh.
4.na的受欢迎程度如何me Lena in the US?
The name Lena was ranked 251 among the top 1000 female names in 2022 in the US (1).
5. What are some middle names that go well with Lena?
Going with middle names that have a classic yet elegant vibe could add to the given name’s all-rounded significance.Elizabethis a sophisticated name that can add elegance to Lena, while the short and simpleMaecan add charm to Lena.Roseis a classic that goes well with many names, andJosephinecan bring grandeur to Lena.
References:
- Popularity of name Lena.
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/
