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Selene

♀ Girl

Pronounced seh-LEE-nee /sɪˈliː.ni/High

Meaning: From Greek Selene, the goddess of the moon, derived from selas meaning 'light,' 'brightness,' or 'glow'; Selene was the Titan goddess who drove the moon chariot across the night skyHigh

In 30 seconds: Selene is the name of the ancient Greek moon goddess — 'brightness' — who drove her silver chariot across the night sky. Luminous, mythological, and beautifully distinctive.
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Origin HighGreek
MeaningFrom Greek Selene, the goddess of the moon, derived from selas meaning 'light,' 'brightness,' or 'glow'; Selene was the Titan goddess who drove the moon chariot across the night sky
U.S. rank (2025)#623 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births469 girls (0.03% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2025
Total births (all-time)≈ 9,709

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202519192025

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

History & Origin

Selene is from Greek Selene ('moon'), the Titan goddess of the moon who drove a silver chariot pulled by white horses across the sky. The name derives from selas ('brightness,' 'glow'), capturing the luminous quality of moonlight. Selene was the sister of Helios (the sun) and Eos (the dawn) in Greek mythology.

Selene has been used as a given name in the Spanish-speaking world (particularly in the form Selena) and has grown in English-speaking countries in the late 20th and 21st centuries. The spelling Selene is associated with the ancient Greek goddess, while Selena is the more common Latinized form. Both rank in the U.S. top 200–300.

Did you know? The element Selenium was named after Selene, the Greek moon goddess, by Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius in 1817 — making Selene a name that is literally encoded into the periodic table and the fabric of chemistry.
Overall data confidence 97%
Behind the Name — Selene — Greek mythology and etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

SelenaCelineSalene

Nicknames

SelLena

Famous Bearers

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If you like Selene…

Selena— the Latinized form of the same Greek moon goddess name
Luna— Latin moon name with the same celestial, night-sky resonance
Diana— Roman moon goddess name with the same mythological divine feminine character
Artemis— Greek moon goddess name (twin of Apollo) with the same ancient divine heritage

Frequently Asked

What does the name Selene mean?

Selene is Greek for 'moon' or 'brightness,' from selas (glow). She was the Titan goddess of the moon who drove her chariot across the night sky.

How do you pronounce Selene?

It is said seh-LEE-nee — three syllables with stress on the second.

Is Selene a boy or girl name?

Selene is exclusively a girls' name.

How popular is Selene?

Selene ranks in the U.S. top 200–300 girls' names; the variant Selena ranks higher due to its association with Selena Gomez.