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Selena

♀ Girl

Pronounced suh-LEE-nuh /səˈliː.nə/High

Meaning: Moon; moonlight; from Greek Selene, goddess of the moonHigh

In 30 seconds: A luminous Greek name meaning 'moon,' borne by the Titan moon goddess Selene. Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, the Queen of Tejano music, gave it iconic status in the Latino community and beyond.
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Origin HighGreek
MeaningMoon; moonlight; from Greek Selene, goddess of the moon
Peak year1995
Total births (all-time)≈ 49,423

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199518802017

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

History & Origin

Selena is a variant of Selene, from the Greek Σελήνη (Selēnē), the personification of the moon in Greek mythology. Selene was a Titan goddess who drove her silver chariot (the moon) across the night sky. The name is related to the Greek word selēnē ('moon') and ultimately to selas ('light, radiance').

Selena has been used as a given name in Spanish-speaking countries for many generations and gained wide U.S. exposure through singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The 1997 biographical film Selena starring Jennifer Lopez amplified the name's legacy. Pop star Selena Gomez has maintained its visibility for a new generation.

Did you know? Selena Quintanilla-Pérez (1971–1995), called the 'Queen of Tejano,' was the best-selling Latin music artist of the 1990s. Her death in 1995 prompted a national outpouring of grief, and her name has been beloved ever since.

Variations

SeleneCelenaSalena

Nicknames

SelLenaSeli

Famous Bearers

  • ★Selena Quintanilla-Pérez (1971–1995)
    American singer, the 'Queen of Tejano music,' one of the best-selling Latin artists of all time.
  • ★Selena Gomez (b. 1992)
    American singer and actress, one of the most followed people on social media.

If you like Selena…

Luna— also a moon name, equally popular and luminous
Diana— Roman moon goddess name in the same divine feminine category
Stella— Latin 'star,' shares the luminous night-sky quality

Frequently Asked

What does the name Selena mean?

Selena means 'moon' or 'moonlight,' from Greek Selene, the Titan goddess who drove the moon across the sky.

How do you pronounce Selena?

Selena is pronounced suh-LEE-nuh (/səˈliː.nə/) — three syllables with stress on the second.

Is Selena a boy or girl name?

Selena is used exclusively as a girl's name.

How popular is Selena?

Selena has been a top-200 U.S. girls' name for decades, popular particularly in Latino communities.