How to say it
LE · na
ˈliː.nə
Feminine
Lena
Light, or short for Helena
What it means
A short form of Helena, Magdalena, or Elena that long ago became a name in its own right.
Lena started as the tail end of longer names, mainly Helena (from a Greek root tied to light), Magdalena, and Elena, before settling in as an independent name across Europe and beyond. It is warm, short, and travels easily between languages. You will hear LEE-nuh in the US and LAY-nuh in much of Europe. Lena Horne and Lena Headey anchor its two moods, classic glamour and modern edge.
How to spell Lena
The standard spelling is Lena. Common variants include Lina, Leyna, Lenna, but Lena is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #41 in 1884, currently #279 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pronunciation
LEE-nuh dominates in the US; LAY-nuh is common in German, Scandinavian, and Slavic use.
- Nickname
Works as a standalone or as the short for Helena, Elena, Magdalena, or Adelena.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Lena Horne American singer, actress, and civil-rights activist
- Lena Headey English actress, Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones
Spelling variants
- Lina
- Leyna
- Lenna
Names with the same feeling
See Lena from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Lena mean?
- A short form of Helena, Magdalena, or Elena that long ago became a name in its own right.
- What does Lena mean in Greek?
- In Greek, Lena means "Light, or short for Helena." Lena started as the tail end of longer names, mainly Helena (from a Greek root tied to light), Magdalena, and Elena, before settling in as an independent name across Europe and beyond. It is warm, short, and travels easily between languages. You will hear LEE-nuh in the US and LAY-nuh in much of Europe. Lena Horne and Lena Headey anchor its two moods, classic glamour and modern edge.
- Is Lena short for Helena?
- Yes. Lena is a short form of Helena, and it carries the same meaning, "Light, or short for Helena." These days many parents use Lena as a given name in its own right, not only as a nickname.
- How do you pronounce Lena?
- Lena is pronounced ˈliː.nə. Say it as LE-na, with the stress on the "le" syllable.
- How do you spell Lena?
- The standard spelling is Lena. Common spelling variants include Lina, Leyna, Lenna.
- Is Lena a boy or girl name?
- Lena is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Lena?
- Lena ranked #279 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.