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Zena

♀ Girl

Pronounced ZEE-nuh /ˈziː.nΙ™/High

Meaning: hospitable, welcoming of strangersMedium

In 30 seconds: Zena is a name of Greek and Persian heritage meaning hospitable or woman. It is related to Xenia (Greek hospitality) and Zenobia, and gained pop culture fame through the TV series Xena: Warrior Princess.
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Origin MediumGreek, Persian
Meaninghospitable, welcoming of strangers
U.S. rank (2024)#2273 β†˜ Falling
2024 U.S. births82 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1964
Total births (all-time)β‰ˆ 5,911

Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data

peak 196418802024

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

History & Origin

Zena is a phonetic form of Xena, from the Greek Xenia meaning hospitality or welcoming strangers. It is also used as a short form of Zenobia (from the Semitic meaning Zeus-given life). In Persian, zena means woman.

Zena was given popular visibility by the TV series Xena: Warrior Princess (1995–2001). As a given name it has been used in various forms across Eastern European, Middle Eastern, and English-speaking communities.

Did you know? Xenia (hospitality) was so important in ancient Greek culture that it was considered a sacred duty protected by Zeus Xenios β€” a god's role specifically devoted to protecting guests and strangers, making hospitality a divine obligation.
Overall data confidence 78%
Liddell & Scott, Greek-English Lexicon β€” reference for ZenaBehind the Name: Xena β€” name etymology referenceOxford Dictionary of First Names β€” reference for Zena

Variations

XenaXeniaZenobiaZeena

Nicknames

ZeeZen

Famous Bearers

  • β˜…Xena (fictional)
    Fictional warrior-princess hero of the syndicated television series Xena: Warrior Princess (1995–2001), played by Lucy Lawless.
  • β˜…Zenobia (c. 240–c. 274)
    Warrior queen of the Palmyrene Empire who annexed much of the Roman East before being defeated by Emperor Aurelian.

If you like Zena…

Xenaβ€” direct variant spelling of the same name
Zaraβ€” short elegant Z-name with classical roots
Nadiaβ€” international feminine classic with similar soft appeal
Veraβ€” two-syllable European classic with similar brevity
Lyraβ€” short classical name with similar phonetic structure

Frequently Asked

What does Zena mean?

Zena means hospitable or welcoming of strangers, from the Greek Xenia. In Persian it also means woman.

How do you pronounce Zena?

Zena is pronounced ZEE-nuh (/ˈziː.nΙ™/), with two syllables.

Is Zena a girl's name?

Yes, Zena is used as a feminine name across Greek, Persian, and English-speaking traditions.

How popular is the name Zena?

Zena gained popular awareness through the TV series Xena: Warrior Princess in the 1990s and is used across multicultural communities.