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Home › Baby Names Directory › Nena

Nena

♀ Girl

Pronounced NAY-nah /ˈneɪ.nɑ/Medium

Meaning: From the Spanish nena, 'a little girl; a baby; a dear'; also a short form of names like Antonina; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: A little girl; a dear: Nena is Spanish. Crisp, sweet, and warm (said 'NAY-nah'). Routes layered.
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Origin LowSpanish
MeaningFrom the Spanish nena, 'a little girl; a baby; a dear'; also a short form of names like Antonina; routes layered
U.S. rank (2024)#10018 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births10 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1963
Total births (all-time)≈ 4,895

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 196318802024

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Nena comes from the Spanish nena, 'a little girl; a baby; a dear'; also a short form of names like Antonina (routes layered, which we note). A crisp, sweet name (said 'NAY-nah').

In the U.S. it appears in Hispanic families as an endearment-name. Rare, a-little-girl at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Nena means 'a little girl; a dear' in Spanish — also a short form of names like Antonina — a crisp, endearing name (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'NAY-nah').
Overall data confidence 30%
References — Nena — Spanish; routes layered

Variations

NinaNenaNenita

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Nena…

Nina— a sound-neighbor Ni-/Ne- girls' name
Lena— a fellow -ena girls' name
Gina— a companion -ina girls' name
Elena— a kin -ena girls' name

Explore names like Nena

By themeuncertainspanish

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Nena mean?

Nena is Spanish for 'a little girl; a baby; a dear'; also a short form of names like Antonina. The routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Nena?

It's said NAY-nah /ˈneɪ.nɑ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Nena a boy or girl name?

Nena is a girl's name.

How popular is Nena?

Nena is a very rare name in the U.S.

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