Selena Girl

Popularity: #255 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: suh-LEE-nah //səˈliː.nə//

Origin: Greek; Latin; Spanish

Meaning: Greek: moon; Latin: heavenly; Spanish: serene

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Selena has its roots in the ancient Greek word 'selēnē', which translates to 'moon'. This etymology is linked to the Greek goddess Selene, who personified the moon and was often depicted as a beautiful woman driving a chariot across the night sky.

The name entered the Latin language as 'Selena', maintaining its association with lunar imagery. The transition into English occurred through the influence of Latin and later through the adoption of Greek mythology into the broader cultural narratives of Europe during the Renaissance period, when classical names gained renewed interest.

Historically, the name Selena has been associated with various figures in literature and mythology. In the context of Christianity, the name has been linked to saints, although it is less common than other names derived from biblical sources.

The name appears in various forms across cultures, including 'Selina', which has been used in English literature since at least the 18th century. Notably, the name was popularized in part by literary works, such as the character Selina in the 19th-century novel 'The Count of Monte Cristo' by Alexandre Dumas, which contributed to its recognition in Western literature.

Culturally, the name Selena carries connotations of beauty, femininity, and mystery, often associated with the moon's serene and enchanting qualities. This symbolic resonance has allowed the name to endure across generations, appealing to various artistic and literary expressions.

Additionally, the name has been used in various languages and cultures, reflecting its adaptability and the universal allure of its lunar connections. The diminutive 'Sel' has also been used in some contexts, though the full form remains the most recognized.

Famous people named Selena

In this section, you will find notable people named Selena. 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 Selena who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Selena 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.

Selena Gomez is a singer and actress best known for Wizards of Waverly Place, Come & Get It, and Only Murders in the Building.

Selena Quintanilla is a singer and songwriter best known for Amor Prohibido, Dreaming of You, and Baila Esta Cumbia.

Fictional characters named Selena

The following list of fictional characters named Selena 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.

Selena Kyle is a fictional character from the DC Comics universe. She is also known as Catwoman, a skilled thief and occasional ally and love interest of Batman.

Selena Gomez is a fictional character from the TV series Wizards of Waverly Place. She is a teenage wizard navigating the challenges of adolescence and magical training.

Sibling suggestions

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

SofiaSerenaSamanthaSabrinaSavannahSienna

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Selena. 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.

SeleneSerenaCelinaElenaAlinaLenaLianaSoleil

U.S. Historical Usage

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

Selena has ranked as high as #194 nationally, which occurred in 1995, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois.

In the past 5 years the name Selena has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Selena 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 Selena 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 Selena.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 1,170 0 1,170
2024 1,294 0 1,294
2023 1,307 0 1,307
2022 1,280 0 1,280
2021 1,453 0 1,453
2020 1,243 0 1,243
2019 1,336 0 1,336
2018 1,316 0 1,316
2017 1,306 0 1,306
2016 1,126 0 1,126
2015 1,016 0 1,016
2014 960 0 960
2013 945 0 945
2012 1,053 0 1,053
2011 986 0 986
2010 984 0 984
2009 1,019 0 1,019
2008 957 0 957
2007 1,059 0 1,059
2006 1,164 0 1,164
2005 1,379 0 1,379
2004 1,248 6 1,242
2003 1,179 0 1,179
2002 1,293 5 1,288
2001 1,491 6 1,485
2000 1,651 6 1,645
1999 2,123 5 2,118
1998 2,279 0 2,279
1997 2,007 9 1,998
1996 2,296 5 2,291
1995 3,840 15 3,825
1994 918 0 918
1993 663 0 663
1992 375 0 375
1991 313 0 313
1990 263 0 263
1989 281 0 281
1988 212 0 212
1987 246 0 246
1986 282 0 282
1985 310 0 310
1984 368 0 368
1983 367 0 367
1982 391 0 391
1981 453 0 453
1980 452 0 452
1979 522 0 522
1978 598 0 598
1977 791 0 791
1976 464 0 464
1975 344 0 344
1974 446 0 446
1973 589 0 589
1972 357 0 357
1971 435 0 435
1970 297 0 297
1969 271 0 271
1968 271 0 271
1967 294 0 294
1966 298 0 298
1965 272 0 272
1964 226 0 226
1963 206 0 206
1962 241 0 241
1961 257 0 257
1960 199 0 199
1959 213 0 213
1958 212 0 212
1957 58 0 58
1956 53 0 53
1955 59 0 59
1954 85 0 85
1953 67 0 67
1952 90 0 90
1951 69 0 69
1950 58 0 58
1949 61 0 61
1948 57 0 57
1947 50 0 50
1946 41 0 41
1945 50 0 50
1944 64 0 64
1943 42 0 42
1942 41 0 41
1941 27 0 27
1940 22 0 22
1939 40 0 40
1938 35 0 35
1937 35 0 35
1936 25 0 25
1935 29 0 29
1934 25 0 25
1933 38 0 38
1932 31 0 31
1931 25 0 25
1930 44 0 44
1929 46 0 46
1928 40 0 40
1927 36 0 36
1926 45 0 45
1925 43 0 43
1924 37 0 37
1923 44 0 44
1922 43 0 43
1921 44 0 44
1920 46 0 46
1919 41 0 41
1918 32 0 32
1917 35 0 35
1916 34 0 34
1915 40 0 40
1914 37 0 37
1913 27 0 27
1912 28 0 28
1911 23 0 23
1910 21 0 21
1909 21 0 21
1908 19 0 19
1907 14 0 14
1906 16 0 16
1905 15 0 15
1904 17 0 17
1903 23 0 23
1902 17 0 17
1901 17 0 17
1900 20 0 20
1899 11 0 11
1898 21 0 21
1897 16 0 16
1896 13 0 13
1895 11 0 11
1894 13 0 13
1893 16 0 16
1892 11 0 11
1891 17 0 17
1890 14 0 14
1889 11 0 11
1888 18 0 18
1887 14 0 14
1886 10 0 10
1885 15 0 15
1884 11 0 11
1883 6 0 6
1882 5 0 5
1881 7 0 7
1880 5 0 5

Top States for Selena (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
CA 256
20%
TX 164
13%
FL 89
7%
NY 50
4%
IL 50
4%
AZ 46
4%
NJ 41
3%
NC 37
3%
MI 37
3%
WA 33
3%
PA 33
3%
VA 30
2%
OH 29
2%
CO 27
2%
GA 27
2%
MD 22
2%
NV 20
2%
UT 18
1%
IN 18
1%
AL 18
1%
MA 17
1%
WI 16
1%
SC 16
1%
CT 15
1%
MO 14
1%
KY 14
1%
TN 14
1%
AR 13
1%
OK 11
1%
OR 11
1%
NM 11
1%
KS 10
1%
IA 8
1%
MS 8
1%
MN 7
1%
NE 7
1%
WV 7
1%
ID 6
0%
LA 6
0%
RI 5
0%
HI 5
0%