Nene

♀ Girl

Pronounced NEH-neh /ˈnɛ.nɛ/Medium

Meaning: Variously a Japanese girls' name (borne by a famous 16th-century noblewoman, One/Nene) and a modern pet name; routes uncertainLow

In 30 seconds: A Japanese name; a pet name: Nene. Sweet, modern, and warm (said 'NEH-neh').

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Origin LowJapanese, American

MeaningVariously a Japanese girls' name (borne by a famous 16th-century noblewoman, One/Nene) and a modern pet name; routes uncertain

U.S. rank (2025)#10679 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births9 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2009

Total births (all-time)≈ 199

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Nene is variously a Japanese girls' name (borne by a famous 16th-century noblewoman, One/Nene) and a modern pet name (routes uncertain, which we note). A sweet, modern name (said 'NEH-neh').

In the U.S. it appears as a pet name and Japanese name. Rare, a-Japanese-name-and-pet-name, and sweet.

Did you know? Nene is variously a Japanese girls' name (borne by a famous 16th-century noblewoman) and a modern pet name — a sweet, modern name (the routes are uncertain, which we note; said 'NEH-neh').

Overall data confidence 28%

References — Nene — routes uncertain

Variations

NiniNeneeNena

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Nene…

Nina— a sound-neighbor N- girls' name

Mimi— a fellow reduplicated pet-name

Lulu— a companion reduplicated pet-name

Kaylene— another American name

Jolyne— a fellow American choice

Explore names like Nene

By themeuncertain american japanese

By meaningRoyal / Noble

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Nene mean?

Nene is variously a Japanese girls' name and a modern pet name; the routes are uncertain.

How do you pronounce Nene?

It's said NEH-neh /ˈnɛ.nɛ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Nene a boy or girl name?

Nene is a girl's name.

How popular is Nene?

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