Zena Girl

Popularity: #875 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ZEE-nah //ˈziː.nə//

Origin: Greek; Arabic

Meaning: Greek: 'hospitable'; Arabic: 'zeal'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Zena has its roots in the Greek language, deriving from the word "zenon," which means "of Zeus" or "divine." This etymology connects the name to the ancient Greek god Zeus, who was considered the king of the gods in Greek mythology. The name Zena may also be associated with the Greek word "zenith," symbolizing the highest point, further emphasizing its celestial connotations.

The transition of the name into English likely occurred through various adaptations of Greek names during the Renaissance, a period marked by a revival of interest in classical antiquity and its languages. Historically, the name Zena has been linked to various cultural and literary figures.

Although not as prominent as other names derived from Greek mythology, it has appeared in literature and art, particularly during the 19th and 20th centuries. The name gained some recognition through characters in novels and plays, where it often represented strong and independent female figures.

The use of Zena in literature reflects broader themes of empowerment and femininity, resonating with the ideals of the time. Culturally, Zena embodies a sense of strength and divinity, drawing on its associations with Zeus.

This connection has allowed the name to endure in various forms and adaptations across cultures. Additionally, diminutive forms such as Zenaida have emerged, further enriching the name's historical tapestry.

The name's enduring appeal can be attributed to its strong linguistic roots and the positive attributes associated with its meaning, making it a name that carries both historical significance and cultural resonance.

Famous people named Zena

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

We also feature individuals named Zena 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.

Zena Hitz is a philosopher best known for Lost in Thought, the importance of philosophy, and her work on the liberal arts.

Fictional characters named Zena

The following list of fictional characters named Zena 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.

Zena is a fictional character from the animated series Zena: Warrior Princess. She is a fierce warrior known for her strength, combat skills, and quest for redemption.

Sibling suggestions

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

ZaraZinaZadie

Similar names

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

LenaNinaTinaRenaSenaMinaKenaVena

U.S. Historical Usage

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

Zena has ranked as high as #1189 nationally, which occurred in 1964, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Florida, and Michigan.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Zena 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 Zena 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 Zena.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 73 73
2024 82 82
2023 87 87
2022 90 90
2021 84 84
2020 83 83
2019 90 90
2018 74 74
2017 82 82
2016 50 50
2015 58 58
2014 56 56
2013 46 46
2012 48 48
2011 40 40
2010 41 41
2009 33 33
2008 39 39
2007 44 44
2006 33 33
2005 47 47
2004 40 40
2003 40 40
2002 45 45
2001 46 46
2000 44 44
1999 78 78
1998 88 88
1997 104 104
1996 127 127
1995 59 59
1994 71 71
1993 44 44
1992 52 52
1991 49 49
1990 63 63
1989 71 71
1988 33 33
1987 51 51
1986 44 44
1985 62 62
1984 38 38
1983 47 47
1982 58 58
1981 54 54
1980 51 51
1979 24 24
1978 28 28
1977 24 24
1976 36 36
1975 25 25
1974 32 32
1973 39 39
1972 39 39
1971 45 45
1970 51 51
1969 43 43
1968 63 63
1967 69 69
1966 104 104
1965 142 142
1964 222 222
1963 213 213
1962 70 70
1961 63 63
1960 52 52
1959 39 39
1958 26 26
1957 41 41
1956 30 30
1955 27 27
1954 23 23
1953 22 22
1952 20 20
1951 34 34
1950 21 21
1949 18 18
1948 29 29
1947 21 21
1946 12 12
1945 14 14
1944 23 23
1943 15 15
1942 35 35
1941 21 21
1940 19 19
1939 13 13
1938 16 16
1937 16 16
1936 20 20
1935 21 21
1934 24 24
1933 35 35
1932 31 31
1931 26 26
1930 27 27
1929 43 43
1928 27 27
1927 36 36
1926 41 41
1925 48 48
1924 39 39
1923 48 48
1922 43 43
1921 62 62
1920 45 45
1919 31 31
1918 53 53
1917 37 37
1916 46 46
1915 40 40
1914 35 35
1913 31 31
1912 27 27
1911 26 26
1910 21 21
1909 21 21
1908 13 13
1907 14 14
1906 19 19
1905 21 21
1904 15 15
1903 8 8
1902 11 11
1901 12 12
1900 21 21
1899 10 10
1898 18 18
1897 16 16
1896 9 9
1895 13 13
1894 14 14
1893 13 13
1892 16 16
1891 16 16
1890 8 8
1889 12 12
1888 8 8
1887 6 6
1886 8 8
1884 11 11
1883 13 13
1882 6 6
1881 6 6
1880 7 7

Top States for Zena (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 11
30%
NY 8
22%
TX 8
22%
FL 5
14%
NC 5
14%