Lena

Meaning of Lena

Lena often means "light" or "sunlight." It can also be a short form of names like Helena or Magdalena.

Lena has Greek roots — browse every Greek baby name in our catalog.

Popularity of Lena

Lena has cooled off, slipping to #279 in 2025, down from a peak of #253 in 2022.

Notable people named Lena

• Lena Dunham
  Actress, writer, and director
• Lena Headey
  Actress (Game of Thrones)
• Lena Olin
  Actress (Chocolat, Alias)
• Lena Waithe
  Emmy-winning writer and actress
• Lena Horne
  Singer and actress

More Greek names

Questions about the name Lena

What does the name Lena mean?

Lena means lena often means "light" or "sunlight." it can also be a short form of names like helena or magdalena, and it comes from Greek origins.

Is Lena a boy's or a girl's name?

Lena is most commonly used as a girl's name in the United States.

How popular is the name Lena?

In 2025, Lena ranked #279 for girls, down from #263 the year before.

When was Lena most popular?

Lena peaked at #253 in 2022.