Selina Girl

Popularity: #772 · Trend: ↘ Falling

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

Origin: Latin; Greek

Meaning: Latin: moon; Greek: light

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Selina is believed to have originated from the Greek word 'selene,' meaning 'moon.' This etymological root is linked to the Greek goddess of the moon, Selene, who was often depicted as a beautiful woman driving a chariot across the night sky. The name was adopted into Latin as 'Selina,' which then made its way into Old French before entering the English language in the medieval period.

The transition into English likely occurred during the Renaissance, a time of renewed interest in classical antiquity and the arts, which saw the revival of many ancient names. Historically, the name Selina has been associated with various notable figures.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name in English literature can be traced back to the 18th century, particularly in the works of poets and playwrights who were influenced by classical themes. The name gained further prominence through its use in literature and drama, notably in the works of the English poet John Milton, who included a character named Selina in his writings.

Additionally, the name has been borne by various saints and noblewomen throughout history, contributing to its cultural resonance. Culturally, Selina has often been associated with qualities such as beauty, grace, and femininity, reflecting the characteristics attributed to the moon in various mythologies.

The name has also been linked to themes of light and illumination, resonating with the moon's role as a source of light in the night sky. In some traditions, Selina is considered a name that embodies a sense of calm and tranquility, further enhancing its appeal across generations.

The diminutive 'Lina' has also emerged as a related form, often used affectionately in various cultures, though its historical significance is secondary to the full name.

Famous people named Selina

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

We also feature individuals named Selina 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.

Selina Meyer is a fictional character best known for the television series Veep.

Selina Scott is a television presenter and journalist best known for her work on ITV and Channel 4 news.

Fictional characters named Selina

The following list of fictional characters named Selina 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.

Selina 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.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Selina, 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 Selina. 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 Selina was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Selina has ranked as high as #721 nationally, which occurred in 1995, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Pennsylvania.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Selina 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 Selina 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 Selina.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 176 176
2024 176 176
2023 168 168
2022 163 163
2021 176 176
2020 158 158
2019 205 205
2018 229 229
2017 214 214
2016 218 218
2015 222 222
2014 249 249
2013 213 213
2012 242 242
2011 224 224
2010 219 219
2009 253 253
2008 277 277
2007 291 291
2006 295 295
2005 295 295
2004 240 240
2003 238 238
2002 262 262
2001 262 262
2000 279 279
1999 348 348
1998 336 336
1997 357 357
1996 376 376
1995 704 704
1994 614 614
1993 496 496
1992 363 363
1991 311 311
1990 270 270
1989 331 331
1988 231 231
1987 248 248
1986 265 265
1985 264 264
1984 251 251
1983 255 255
1982 287 287
1981 294 294
1980 233 233
1979 242 242
1978 288 288
1977 399 399
1976 201 201
1975 154 154
1974 198 198
1973 220 220
1972 198 198
1971 222 222
1970 150 150
1969 146 146
1968 198 198
1967 232 232
1966 269 269
1965 244 244
1964 195 195
1963 246 246
1962 246 246
1961 205 205
1960 167 167
1959 148 148
1958 103 103
1957 68 68
1956 58 58
1955 53 53
1954 61 61
1953 36 36
1952 36 36
1951 54 54
1950 27 27
1949 28 28
1948 25 25
1947 22 22
1946 13 13
1945 27 27
1944 19 19
1943 23 23
1942 9 9
1941 13 13
1940 12 12
1939 19 19
1938 12 12
1937 14 14
1936 14 14
1935 18 18
1934 15 15
1933 18 18
1932 15 15
1931 12 12
1930 24 24
1929 19 19
1928 25 25
1927 20 20
1926 33 33
1925 28 28
1924 34 34
1923 37 37
1922 32 32
1921 22 22
1920 32 32
1919 37 37
1918 47 47
1917 32 32
1916 36 36
1915 27 27
1914 17 17
1913 20 20
1912 27 27
1911 19 19
1910 19 19
1909 14 14
1908 13 13
1907 19 19
1906 15 15
1905 19 19
1904 16 16
1903 20 20
1902 13 13
1901 17 17
1900 27 27
1899 13 13
1898 22 22
1897 22 22
1896 17 17
1895 26 26
1894 11 11
1893 12 12
1892 19 19
1891 19 19
1890 24 24
1889 18 18
1888 13 13
1887 15 15
1886 9 9
1885 11 11
1884 11 11
1883 14 14
1881 9 9
1880 10 10

Top States for Selina (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 38
29%
NY 17
13%
TX 15
11%
FL 14
11%
WA 9
7%
VA 8
6%
GA 8
6%
MA 6
5%
NJ 6
5%
NC 5
4%
IL 5
4%