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Celina

♀ Girl

Pronounced seh-LEE-nuh /sɛˈliː.nə/High

Meaning: Variant of Selena or Celine, ultimately from the Greek Selene, goddess of the moon, whose name is derived from selas meaning 'brightness' or 'light'; also linked to the Latin caelum meaning 'heaven' or 'sky'High

In 30 seconds: Celina is an elegant variant of Selena and Celine, rooted in the Greek goddess of the moon Selene and meaning brightness or heaven. It has a romantic, international quality used across European and Latin American cultures.
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Origin HighGreek, Latin
MeaningVariant of Selena or Celine, ultimately from the Greek Selene, goddess of the moon, whose name is derived from selas meaning 'brightness' or 'light'; also linked to the Latin caelum meaning 'heaven' or 'sky'
U.S. rank (2025)#829 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births329 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1994
Total births (all-time)≈ 16,293

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199418802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Celina is a variant of Selena (Spanish/Italian) and Celine (French), all derived from the Greek Selene, the goddess of the moon. Selene's name comes from the Greek selas, meaning 'brightness' or 'light'. Additionally, Celina may draw on the Latin caelum (heaven, sky), reinforcing the celestial meaning. The name has been used in Catholic Europe in honor of Saint Celine, mother of Saint Remigius.

Celina is well established in Polish, German, Portuguese, and Spanish-speaking cultures. In Poland it has been a consistent feminine name for centuries. In the Americas it is common in Brazil and Spanish-speaking countries. In English-speaking countries it gained some currency in the 20th century as an elegant alternative to the more common Selena or Celine.

Did you know? Selene, the Greek moon goddess whose name underlies Celina, was said to drive a silver chariot across the night sky — an image so vivid it gave the chemical element selenium its name when it was discovered in 1817.
Overall data confidence 86%
Behind the Name — Celina — Greek etymology via SeleneTheoi Greek Mythology — Selene — mythological background

Variations

SelenaCelineSeleneSelina

Nicknames

CeliLina

Famous Bearers

  • ★Celina Sinden (1987–present)
    English actress known for playing Greer in the television series Reign.

If you like Celina…

Selena— the Spanish form of the same mythological root
Celine— the French form sharing the same celestial etymology
Luna— same celestial, moon-associated theme and elegant femininity
Elena— shares the three-syllable European elegance and similar sound

Frequently Asked

What does the name Celina mean?

Celina means brightness or light (from Greek Selene, moon goddess) and is also associated with heaven through the Latin caelum.

How do you pronounce Celina?

It is said seh-LEE-nuh, with three syllables.

Is Celina the same as Selena?

Celina and Selena are variants of the same root name; Celina is the Spanish, Polish, and Latin form while Selena is more common in English and Spanish.

Is Celina a popular name?

Celina is popular in Poland, Brazil, and Spanish-speaking countries, with moderate usage in the U.S.