Dena Girl

Popularity: #918 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: DEE-nah //ˈdiː.nə//

Origin: Hebrew; English

Meaning: Hebrew: 'judge'; English: diminutive of names like Denise

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Dena has its roots in the Hebrew name Dina, which means "judged" or "vindicated." The name Dina appears in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Genesis, where she is identified as the daughter of Jacob and Leah. This biblical connection provides a significant historical anchor for the name, as it has been used in Jewish communities for centuries.

The transition from Dina to Dena likely occurred through various linguistic adaptations as the name was adopted into different cultures and languages. As the name moved into Greek and Latin contexts, it maintained its original meaning while also being influenced by phonetic changes.

In the early Christian era, names from the Hebrew Bible were often translated or adapted into Greek and Latin, which facilitated their spread throughout Europe. By the medieval period, variations of the name began to appear in different languages, including Dena, which emerged as a distinct form in English-speaking regions.

Culturally, Dena has been associated with themes of justice and righteousness, echoing its biblical origins. The name has been embraced in various cultures, often reflecting a connection to heritage and tradition.

In some instances, diminutive forms or variations such as Dina or Deena have also been used, further enriching the name's historical tapestry. Overall, Dena carries with it a legacy of biblical significance and cultural resonance that has allowed it to endure through the ages.

Famous people named Dena

In this section, you will find notable people named Dena. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Dena who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Dena who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Dena Blizzard is a comedian and actress best known for One Funny Mother, The Today Show, and her viral videos.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Dena, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

DanaNinaLenaMinaTinaRena

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Dena. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

DeenaDinaDeniseRenaNinaLenaTinaZina

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Dena was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Dena has ranked as high as #386 nationally, which occurred in 1970, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Illinois, and Ohio.

In the past 5 years the name Dena has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Dena is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Dena was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Dena.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 30 0 30
2024 29 0 29
2023 27 0 27
2022 35 0 35
2021 32 0 32
2020 29 0 29
2019 32 0 32
2018 37 0 37
2017 42 0 42
2016 44 0 44
2015 37 0 37
2014 45 0 45
2013 43 0 43
2012 34 0 34
2011 42 0 42
2010 50 0 50
2009 47 0 47
2008 59 0 59
2007 61 0 61
2006 66 0 66
2005 69 0 69
2004 65 0 65
2003 84 0 84
2002 93 0 93
2001 71 0 71
2000 94 0 94
1999 90 0 90
1998 101 0 101
1997 101 0 101
1996 154 0 154
1995 127 0 127
1994 115 0 115
1993 128 0 128
1992 142 0 142
1991 156 0 156
1990 196 0 196
1989 225 7 218
1988 250 0 250
1987 236 0 236
1986 273 0 273
1985 358 0 358
1984 406 0 406
1983 416 0 416
1982 451 0 451
1981 484 8 476
1980 530 0 530
1979 537 0 537
1978 517 0 517
1977 582 0 582
1976 676 0 676
1975 821 6 815
1974 838 0 838
1973 860 6 854
1972 981 9 972
1971 1,181 10 1,171
1970 1,542 0 1,542
1969 1,264 0 1,264
1968 1,024 5 1,019
1967 960 0 960
1966 843 0 843
1965 810 0 810
1964 913 5 908
1963 957 0 957
1962 906 0 906
1961 768 0 768
1960 739 0 739
1959 599 0 599
1958 516 0 516
1957 471 0 471
1956 503 0 503
1955 467 0 467
1954 427 0 427
1953 315 0 315
1952 229 0 229
1951 224 0 224
1950 205 0 205
1949 178 0 178
1948 172 0 172
1947 223 0 223
1946 123 0 123
1945 127 0 127
1944 112 0 112
1943 84 0 84
1942 88 0 88
1941 79 0 79
1940 73 0 73
1939 76 0 76
1938 68 0 68
1937 64 0 64
1936 65 0 65
1935 59 0 59
1934 49 0 49
1933 66 0 66
1932 73 0 73
1931 76 0 76
1930 78 0 78
1929 71 0 71
1928 64 0 64
1927 77 0 77
1926 92 0 92
1925 91 0 91
1924 86 0 86
1923 86 0 86
1922 83 0 83
1921 97 0 97
1920 95 0 95
1919 104 0 104
1918 122 0 122
1917 94 0 94
1916 96 0 96
1915 113 0 113
1914 75 0 75
1913 62 0 62
1912 59 0 59
1911 48 0 48
1910 30 0 30
1909 31 0 31
1908 49 0 49
1907 38 0 38
1906 28 0 28
1905 37 0 37
1904 39 0 39
1903 24 0 24
1902 36 0 36
1901 41 0 41
1900 53 0 53
1899 37 0 37
1898 48 0 48
1897 40 0 40
1896 50 0 50
1895 36 0 36
1894 63 0 63
1893 32 0 32
1892 45 0 45
1891 33 0 33
1890 31 0 31
1889 30 0 30
1888 38 0 38
1887 39 0 39
1886 32 0 32
1885 27 0 27
1884 24 0 24
1883 16 0 16
1882 13 0 13
1881 23 0 23
1880 13 0 13

Top States for Dena (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
NJ 5
100%