Shena Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: SHEE-nah /ˈʃiː.nə/
Origin: English; Irish
Meaning: English: 'God is gracious'; Irish: 'little' or 'small'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Shena is believed to have roots in the Hebrew name Shoshana, which translates to "lily" or "rose." This name was adopted into Greek as Σοφία (Sophia), meaning "wisdom," and later appeared in Latin as Susanna. The transition into English occurred through Old French as Susanne, which was commonly used in medieval England.
The phonetic evolution from Shoshana to Shena reflects a broader trend of names adapting to different linguistic and cultural contexts over centuries. Historically, the name Shoshana is associated with biblical figures, notably in the Book of Daniel, where it refers to a character who is a symbol of purity and beauty.
The name Susanna gained prominence in Christian texts, particularly in the apocryphal additions to the Book of Daniel, where Susanna is depicted as a virtuous woman wrongfully accused. This narrative contributed to the name's popularity in Christian communities throughout the Middle Ages, leading to its various adaptations, including Shena.
Culturally, the name Shena carries connotations of grace and beauty, often linked to floral imagery due to its meaning. The enduring appeal of names derived from nature, such as Shena, reflects a broader human affinity for the natural world and its symbolism in literature and art.
Additionally, diminutive forms like Shena may evoke a sense of intimacy and affection, further embedding the name within familial and social contexts. Overall, Shena encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution and cultural significance, rooted in ancient traditions and biblical narratives.
Famous people named Shena
In this section, you will find notable people named Shena. 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 Shena who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Shena 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.
Shena is a singer best known for her work in the music industry and her album releases.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Shena, 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 Shena. 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 Shena was first seen in the United States in 1952.
Shena has ranked as high as #924 nationally, which occurred in 1984, and has been most popular in California, Florida, New York, Texas, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Shena has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Shena 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 Shena was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Shena (1995)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 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 Shena.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 1999 | 5 |
| 1998 | 9 |
| 1997 | 13 |
| 1996 | 12 |
| 1995 | 18 |
| 1994 | 15 |
| 1993 | 25 |
| 1992 | 32 |
| 1991 | 47 |
| 1990 | 58 |
| 1989 | 62 |
| 1988 | 65 |
| 1987 | 91 |
| 1986 | 107 |
| 1985 | 157 |
| 1984 | 198 |
| 1983 | 140 |
| 1982 | 165 |
| 1981 | 89 |
| 1980 | 65 |
| 1979 | 81 |
| 1978 | 68 |
| 1977 | 81 |
| 1976 | 54 |
| 1975 | 51 |
| 1974 | 42 |
| 1973 | 67 |
| 1972 | 54 |
| 1971 | 55 |
| 1970 | 89 |
| 1969 | 31 |
| 1968 | 29 |
| 1967 | 28 |
| 1966 | 24 |
| 1965 | 26 |
| 1964 | 23 |
| 1963 | 29 |
| 1962 | 15 |
| 1961 | 17 |
| 1960 | 25 |
| 1959 | 14 |
| 1958 | 18 |
| 1957 | 8 |
| 1956 | 14 |
| 1952 | 10 |