Meena Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MEE-nah /ˈmiː.nə/
Origin: Sanskrit; Hindi
Meaning: Sanskrit: 'fish'; Hindi: 'precious gem'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Meena has its roots in Sanskrit, where it is derived from the word "mīna," meaning "fish." This etymology reflects the significance of fish in various cultural and religious contexts within Indian traditions. The name has been adopted in several languages and regions, particularly in South Asia, where it is often associated with various mythological and cultural narratives.
The transition of the name into English and other languages occurred through colonial interactions and the spread of Indian culture, particularly during the British Raj in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Historically, the name Meena has been associated with several notable figures and narratives in Indian mythology.
In Hindu texts, Meena is often linked to the zodiac sign Pisces, which is symbolically represented by two fish. Additionally, the name appears in various regional folklore and stories, where it is sometimes associated with beauty and grace.
In the context of Hinduism, the name also resonates with the goddess Durga, who is sometimes depicted with fish motifs, further enriching its cultural significance. Culturally, the name Meena has endured due to its associations with auspiciousness and femininity.
It is often used in traditional naming practices, where names are chosen based on their meanings and the auspiciousness of the sounds. The name has several diminutive forms, such as Meenu, which are used affectionately in familial contexts.
Overall, Meena embodies a blend of linguistic heritage and cultural symbolism that has allowed it to persist across generations.
Famous people named Meena
In this section, you will find notable people named Meena. 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 Meena who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Meena 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.
Meena Kumari was an actress best known for Pakeezah, Baazi, and Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam.
Meena Harris is an author and lawyer best known for her children's books and as the founder of the Phenomenal Woman Action Campaign.
Meena Alexander was a poet and essayist best known for her works such as Fault Lines and Illiterate Heart.
Meena S. Kumar is a scientist best known for her research in the field of molecular biology.
Fictional characters named Meena
The following list of fictional characters named Meena is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Meena is a fictional character from the animated film The Lion King 1½. She is a young lioness who is a friend of Timon and Pumbaa, contributing to their adventures.
Meena is a fictional character from the animated series Meena. She is a young girl who embarks on various adventures, promoting themes of empowerment and friendship.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Meena, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Meena. 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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Meena was first seen in the United States in 1965.
Meena has ranked as high as #1346 nationally, which occurred in 2008, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, and Virginia.
In the past 5 years the name Meena has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Meena 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 Meena was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Meena (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 7 |
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 Meena.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 36 |
| 2023 | 54 |
| 2022 | 46 |
| 2021 | 43 |
| 2020 | 39 |
| 2019 | 35 |
| 2018 | 47 |
| 2017 | 43 |
| 2016 | 45 |
| 2015 | 26 |
| 2014 | 41 |
| 2013 | 42 |
| 2012 | 40 |
| 2011 | 36 |
| 2010 | 37 |
| 2009 | 41 |
| 2008 | 54 |
| 2007 | 41 |
| 2006 | 50 |
| 2005 | 42 |
| 2004 | 49 |
| 2003 | 40 |
| 2002 | 38 |
| 2001 | 32 |
| 2000 | 32 |
| 1999 | 28 |
| 1998 | 30 |
| 1997 | 19 |
| 1996 | 28 |
| 1995 | 28 |
| 1994 | 29 |
| 1993 | 22 |
| 1992 | 17 |
| 1991 | 15 |
| 1990 | 14 |
| 1989 | 12 |
| 1988 | 24 |
| 1987 | 16 |
| 1986 | 6 |
| 1985 | 19 |
| 1984 | 17 |
| 1983 | 11 |
| 1982 | 17 |
| 1981 | 14 |
| 1980 | 13 |
| 1979 | 17 |
| 1978 | 20 |
| 1977 | 15 |
| 1976 | 9 |
| 1975 | 9 |
| 1974 | 12 |
| 1973 | 7 |
| 1972 | 8 |
| 1971 | 7 |
| 1970 | 11 |
| 1968 | 6 |
| 1967 | 5 |
| 1965 | 6 |