Selen

♀ Girl

Pronounced seh-LEN /sɛˈlɛn/Medium

Meaning: Selen is an established Turkish girls' name, usually glossed 'good news' or 'the sound of rushing water' (linked to sel, 'flood; torrent'). It also unmistakably echoes Selene, the Greek moon goddess, whose name gives us 'selenium'. Which route a family intends varies; routes uncertain in detail, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A Turkish name read 'good news' or 'rushing water'; it also echoes Selene, the Greek moon goddess (said 'seh-LEN').

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Origin LowTurkish, Greek

MeaningSelen is an established Turkish girls' name, usually glossed 'good news' or 'the sound of rushing water' (linked to sel, 'flood; torrent'). It also unmistakably echoes Selene, the Greek moon goddess, whose name gives us 'selenium'. Which route a family intends varies; routes uncertain in detail, which we note.

U.S. rank (2024)#17238 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2007

Total births (all-time)≈ 160

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

Selen is a modern Turkish girls' name, generally connected to sel, 'torrent; flood', and glossed 'the sound of rushing water' or 'good news'. It has been in steady use in Turkey for decades. Separately, and independently, it echoes Selene, the Greek moon goddess whose name lies behind the element selenium — an association many English-speaking families will hear first. Routes uncertain in detail, which we note (said 'seh-LEN').

In the U.S. it appears only very rarely and is newly emerging. Rare, luminous, and Turkish in root.

Did you know? Selen has two lives. In Turkish it is glossed 'good news' or the rushing sound of water. To a Western ear it echoes Selene, the Greek goddess of the moon — the same root that named the element selenium. We note both honestly.

Overall data confidence 40%

References — Selen — Turkish name; 'good news'/'rushing water'; Selene (Greek moon goddess) echo noted honestly

Variations

SelinSeleneSelena

Nicknames

SelLena

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Selen…

Selin— the closest Turkish sibling spelling

Selene— the Greek moon goddess it echoes

Selena— a like flowing Sel- name

Hellen— another nature pick

Saleen— another Greek name

Explore names like Selen

By themeuncertain nature turkish

By meaningGod / Divine Moon Sea / Water

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Selen mean?

Selen is a Turkish name usually glossed 'good news' or 'the sound of rushing water'. It also echoes Selene, the Greek moon goddess. The routes are uncertain in detail, which we note.

How do you pronounce Selen?

It's said seh-LEN /sɛˈlɛn/ — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Selen a boy or girl name?

Selen is a girl's name.

How popular is Selen?

Selen is very rare and newly emerging in the U.S., though it is well used in Turkey.