Tena Girl

Popularity: #943 · Trend: ↗ Rising

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.

TinaNinaLenaRenaSena

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.

TessaTaraTinaTiaTaliaTania

U.S. Historical Usage

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

Tena has ranked as high as #935 nationally, which occurred in 1962, and has been most popular in Texas, Illinois, California, Tennessee, and Michigan.

In the past 5 years the name Tena has been trending down 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.

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 Total Births Girl
2025 5 5
2023 10 10
2022 10 10
2021 11 11
2020 9 9
2019 9 9
2018 12 12
2017 7 7
2016 6 6
2012 12 12
2011 5 5
2010 9 9
2009 6 6
2008 8 8
2007 8 8
2006 6 6
2005 8 8
2004 5 5
2002 5 5
2001 13 13
2000 9 9
1999 14 14
1998 10 10
1997 12 12
1996 16 16
1995 15 15
1994 10 10
1993 10 10
1992 13 13
1991 15 15
1990 15 15
1989 22 22
1988 17 17
1987 20 20
1986 30 30
1985 28 28
1984 27 27
1983 27 27
1982 35 35
1981 53 53
1980 40 40
1979 71 71
1978 46 46
1977 53 53
1976 71 71
1975 79 79
1974 100 100
1973 99 99
1972 121 121
1971 156 156
1970 146 146
1969 162 162
1968 197 197
1967 205 205
1966 202 202
1965 232 232
1964 232 232
1963 270 270
1962 345 345
1961 319 319
1960 318 318
1959 289 289
1958 257 257
1957 262 262
1956 267 267
1955 194 194
1954 92 92
1953 92 92
1952 82 82
1951 56 56
1950 65 65
1949 63 63
1948 54 54
1947 49 49
1946 54 54
1945 41 41
1944 58 58
1943 63 63
1942 27 27
1941 21 21
1940 28 28
1939 23 23
1938 24 24
1937 14 14
1936 14 14
1935 20 20
1934 18 18
1933 17 17
1932 22 22
1931 31 31
1930 29 29
1929 29 29
1928 27 27
1927 22 22
1926 43 43
1925 24 24
1924 48 48
1923 40 40
1922 45 45
1921 36 36
1920 49 49
1919 45 45
1918 53 53
1917 65 65
1916 49 49
1915 60 60
1914 44 44
1913 54 54
1912 42 42
1911 29 29
1910 23 23
1909 30 30
1908 33 33
1907 20 20
1906 38 38
1905 31 31
1904 34 34
1903 27 27
1902 26 26
1901 32 32
1900 49 49
1899 36 36
1898 46 46
1897 30 30
1896 38 38
1895 45 45
1894 38 38
1893 39 39
1892 49 49
1891 33 33
1890 37 37
1889 36 36
1888 39 39
1887 37 37
1886 29 29
1885 26 26
1884 34 34
1883 32 32
1882 25 25
1881 19 19
1880 19 19

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. 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
PA 5
100%