Is Tena a boy, girl, or unisex name?

Tena is commonly used as a Girl name.

Tena Girl

Popularity: — · Trend: → Stable

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: TEN-uh /ˈtɛnə/

Origin: Hebrew; Native American

Meaning: Hebrew: 'to be gracious'; Native American: 'a place of water'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Tena has roots in multiple linguistic traditions, primarily deriving from the Latin word "tenere," which means "to hold" or "to possess." This Latin origin transitioned into various forms in different languages, including the Italian "Tena" and the Spanish diminutive "Tena" of names like Antonia or Valentina. The name made its way into English through the influence of these languages, particularly during the Renaissance when classical names were revived and adapted in various forms across Europe.

Historically, the name Tena has been associated with several notable figures and cultural milestones. In the context of Christianity, the name can be linked to saints and biblical figures, although specific references to individuals named Tena are less common.

The broader family of names related to Tena, such as Antonia, has been borne by various saints and historical figures, contributing to the name's cultural significance. The use of the name in literature and art during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance further solidified its presence in European culture.

Culturally, Tena carries connotations of strength and possession, reflecting its etymological roots. The name has been embraced in various cultures, often symbolizing resilience and stability.

Additionally, diminutive forms like Tenny or Tena can evoke a sense of affection and familiarity, enhancing its appeal across different contexts. Overall, Tena's historical and linguistic journey illustrates a rich tapestry of cultural significance, rooted in its Latin origins and shaped by centuries of usage in various European traditions.

Famous people named Tena

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

We also feature individuals named Tena 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.

Tena Stivicic is a playwright best known for 3 Winters, The Last Train, and The Girl Who Wasn't There.

Tena Kovač is a singer best known for her participation in various music festivals and competitions.

Sibling suggestions

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

Tina Nina Lena Rena Sena

Similar names

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

Tessa Tara Tina Tia Talia Tania

U.S. Historical Usage

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

Tena has ranked as high as #807 nationally, which occurred in 1962, and has been most popular in Illinois, California, Michigan, Missouri, and Kentucky.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Tena 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 Tena was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Top States for Tena (2021)

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.

Year:

State	Births	Share
PA	5	100%

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 Tena.

Year	Births
2023	10
2022	10
2021	11
2020	9
2019	9
2018	12
2017	7
2016	6
2012	12
2011	5
2010	9
2009	6
2008	8
2007	8
2006	6
2005	8
2004	5
2002	5
2001	13
2000	9
1999	14
1998	10
1997	12
1996	16
1995	15
1994	10
1993	10
1992	13
1991	15
1990	15
1989	22
1988	17
1987	20
1986	30
1985	28
1984	27
1983	27
1982	35
1981	53
1980	40
1979	71
1978	46
1977	53
1976	71
1975	79
1974	100
1973	99
1972	121
1971	156
1970	146
1969	162
1968	197
1967	204
1966	202
1965	232
1964	232
1963	270
1962	345
1961	319
1960	318
1959	289
1958	257
1957	262
1956	267
1955	194
1954	92
1953	92
1952	82
1951	56
1950	65
1949	63
1948	54
1947	49
1946	54
1945	41
1944	58
1943	63
1942	27
1941	21
1940	28
1939	23
1938	24
1937	14
1936	14
1935	20
1934	18
1933	17
1932	22
1931	31
1930	29
1929	29
1928	27
1927	22
1926	43
1925	24
1924	48
1923	40
1922	45
1921	36
1920	49
1919	45
1918	53
1917	65
1916	49
1915	60
1914	44
1913	54
1912	42
1911	29
1910	23
1909	30
1908	33
1907	20
1906	38
1905	31
1904	34
1903	27
1902	26
1901	32
1900	49
1899	36
1898	46
1897	30
1896	38
1895	45
1894	38
1893	39
1892	49
1891	33
1890	37
1889	36
1888	39
1887	37
1886	29
1885	26
1884	34
1883	32
1882	25
1881	19
1880	19