Mena Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MEH-nah /ˈmɛnə/
Origin: Hebrew; Arabic
Meaning: Hebrew: 'gift from God'; Arabic: 'the one who is loved'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Mena has roots in multiple linguistic traditions. It is derived from the Hebrew name מֵנָה (Menaḥ), which means "to count" or "to number." This Hebrew origin reflects a connection to the biblical tradition, where names often carry significant meanings related to one's character or destiny.
The name Mena may also be linked to the Arabic name Mena, which can mean "the place of" or "the source of," further enriching its cultural significance. The transition of the name into English likely occurred through the influence of Hebrew texts and Arabic culture, particularly during the medieval period when translations of biblical texts and the spread of Islamic scholarship were prominent in Europe.
Historically, the name Mena has been associated with various notable figures and events. In biblical contexts, the name is sometimes connected to Menahem, a king of Israel mentioned in the Old Testament, who ruled during the 8th century BCE.
This connection to royal lineage and governance adds a layer of historical weight to the name. Additionally, the name appears in various forms across cultures, including as a diminutive or variant in different languages, which has helped maintain its relevance through the centuries.
Culturally, Mena has resonated in various traditions, often symbolizing strength, leadership, and the importance of counting one's blessings or resources. The name has been embraced in various cultures, reflecting its adaptability and enduring appeal.
Its presence in literature and art, particularly in works that draw upon biblical themes, has further solidified its place in cultural memory. Overall, Mena embodies a rich tapestry of linguistic and historical significance, making it a name with deep roots in both religious and cultural contexts.
Famous people named Mena
In this section, you will find notable people named Mena. 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 Mena who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Mena 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.
Mena Suvari is an actress best known for American Beauty, American Pie, and The Rage: Carrie 2.
Mena Massoud is an actor best known for Aladdin, Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan, and The Royal Treatment.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Mena, 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 Mena. 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 Mena was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Mena has ranked as high as #1335 nationally, which occurred in 2008, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.
In the past 5 years the name Mena has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Mena 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 Mena was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Mena (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 | 5 |
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 Mena.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 21 |
| 2023 | 13 |
| 2022 | 25 |
| 2021 | 26 |
| 2020 | 20 |
| 2019 | 29 |
| 2018 | 32 |
| 2017 | 17 |
| 2016 | 28 |
| 2015 | 28 |
| 2014 | 40 |
| 2013 | 45 |
| 2012 | 31 |
| 2011 | 38 |
| 2010 | 45 |
| 2009 | 51 |
| 2008 | 65 |
| 2007 | 46 |
| 2006 | 38 |
| 2005 | 44 |
| 2004 | 27 |
| 2003 | 34 |
| 2002 | 35 |
| 2001 | 23 |
| 2000 | 26 |
| 1999 | 12 |
| 1998 | 22 |
| 1997 | 12 |
| 1996 | 16 |
| 1995 | 14 |
| 1994 | 15 |
| 1993 | 18 |
| 1992 | 9 |
| 1991 | 8 |
| 1990 | 7 |
| 1989 | 10 |
| 1988 | 14 |
| 1987 | 10 |
| 1986 | 8 |
| 1985 | 9 |
| 1984 | 7 |
| 1983 | 7 |
| 1982 | 10 |
| 1981 | 10 |
| 1980 | 10 |
| 1979 | 8 |
| 1978 | 7 |
| 1977 | 6 |
| 1976 | 9 |
| 1975 | 6 |
| 1974 | 11 |
| 1973 | 11 |
| 1972 | 9 |
| 1971 | 10 |
| 1970 | 10 |
| 1969 | 5 |
| 1968 | 5 |
| 1967 | 5 |
| 1966 | 6 |
| 1965 | 8 |
| 1963 | 6 |
| 1962 | 5 |
| 1960 | 6 |
| 1959 | 11 |
| 1956 | 5 |
| 1955 | 6 |
| 1954 | 8 |
| 1953 | 7 |
| 1952 | 8 |
| 1951 | 5 |
| 1950 | 6 |
| 1949 | 6 |
| 1947 | 5 |
| 1943 | 5 |
| 1941 | 8 |
| 1935 | 7 |
| 1934 | 5 |
| 1932 | 6 |
| 1931 | 7 |
| 1930 | 9 |
| 1927 | 6 |
| 1926 | 12 |
| 1925 | 5 |
| 1923 | 10 |
| 1922 | 12 |
| 1921 | 12 |
| 1920 | 12 |
| 1919 | 9 |
| 1918 | 11 |
| 1917 | 9 |
| 1915 | 10 |
| 1914 | 8 |
| 1912 | 6 |
| 1910 | 7 |
| 1905 | 6 |
| 1899 | 5 |
| 1898 | 6 |
| 1893 | 5 |
| 1892 | 7 |
| 1891 | 6 |
| 1890 | 8 |
| 1889 | 5 |
| 1887 | 8 |
| 1886 | 5 |
| 1880 | 6 |