The nameSelena
Selena is a girl's name of Greek origin meaning "moon". Made famous by Selena Quintanilla and Selena Gomez, it reached the American top 100.
- Girl's name
- Greek
Meaning
Selena comes from the Greek selēnē, "moon". Selene is the Greek goddess of the moon.
Origin
Greek. The form Selina was used in Britain from the 17th century.
History
The Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla, killed in 1995, and Selena Gomez, named after her, made the name hugely popular in the United States.
Did you know?
- Selena Gomez rose to fame in the Disney series Wizards of Waverly Place, from 2007 to 2012.
Famous people named Selena
- Selena Quintanilla, singer
- Selena Gomez, singer and actress
- Selene, Greek goddess of the moon
Popularity of the name Selena
Selena in the United States
Selena was most popular in the United States in the 1990s, with 15,076 births over the decade, 26% of all recorded babies named Selena. Its rise began around 1971, and it peaked in 1995. Half of all babies named Selena in the United States were born before 2000. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 1,314 births a year.
Selena in the United Kingdom
Selena was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2020s, with 804 births over the decade, 47% of all recorded babies named Selena. Half of all babies named Selena in the United Kingdom were born before 2019, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 142 births a year on average, against 82 in the five years before.
Selena in France
Selena in Belgium
Selena in Switzerland
Sibling names for Selena
Names from the same generation as Selena, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Selena? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Selena with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Selena side by side with the name of your choice.
Selena in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Selena mean?
Selena comes from the Greek selēnē, "moon". Selene is the Greek goddess of the moon.
What is the origin of the name Selena?
Greek. The form Selina was used in Britain from the 17th century.
Is Selena a girl's or a boy's name?
Selena is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Selena?
In 2024, Selena was the 245th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 1,289 births.
What are good sibling names for Selena?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Irene, Maia, Thalia and Miriam for a sister, Angelo, George, Dorian and Peter for a brother.
Who are famous people named Selena?
Selena Quintanilla, singer; Selena Gomez, singer and actress; Selene, Greek goddess of the moon.