The story behind Lena
The female name is from the Scandinavian, German and Russian pet form of Helena, Magdalena and Yelena (also spelled Elena). The river in Yakutia is from Russian Лена (Lena), from Evenki Елюенэ (Jeljujenə, “the Large River”). Compare to Yakut Өлүөнэ (Ölüöne). (Norwegian river): Probably related to Old Norse leir (“clay”) (see the references). (Town in Toten): From Old Norse lein.
Pronunciation
English; dialect unspecified: /ˈlɛ.nə/
Regional pronunciation variants
- English; dialect unspecified: /ˈli.na/
Popularity
Lena ranked #279 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Lena
Leda
From Ancient Greek Λήδα (Lḗda).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Leka
Uncertain. Mistakenly attributed as an old borrowing from Ancient Greek Ἀλέξανδρος (Aléxandros), However, the ks would not evolve into a voiceless velar plosive, usually a h,…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Lexa
A short form of Alexa or Alexandra.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Lyra
Borrowed from Latin Lyra/lyra, from Ancient Greek λύρα (lúra, “a lyre; the constellation Lyra”). Doublet of lira, lyra, and lyre.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Anna
From Late Latin Anna both directly and via numerous other languages, chiefly in reference to St Anne the apocryphal mother of Mary mother of Jesus but appearing in the Vulgate…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Cora
Apparently brought up in English literature by James Fenimore Cooper in The Last of the Mohicans (1826), but compare a female heroine of this name in Jean-François Marmontel's…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Lena
Jan
From Old French Jehan (“John”). Doublet of John. Czech Jan Inherited from Old Czech Jan, borrowed from Latin Iōannēs. From Middle Dutch jan, from Latin Iōhannēs, from Ancient…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends N
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Job
From Latin Iob, from Ancient Greek Ἰώβ (Iṓb), from Biblical Hebrew אִיּוֹב (ʾiyyōḇ), related to אָיַב (ʾāyaḇ, “to be an enemy”) and אוֹיֵב (ʾōyēḇ, “enemy”). Ultimately from…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends B
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Leo
From Latin leō (“lion”), calque of Ancient Greek λέων (léōn), calque of Akkadian 𒉈𒍑 (nēšu)/Akkadian 𒌨𒄞𒆷 (urgulû), from Sumerian 𒌨𒄞𒆷 (UR.GU.LA, “lion; name of…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Lena
Abel
English Abel From Middle English Abel, from Old English Ābel, from Latin Abel, from Ancient Greek Ἅβελ (Hábel), from Biblical Hebrew הֶבֶל (Héḇel, “Abel”), possibly from the…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- compatible short style
- shared origin connection
Adam
Middle English Adam English Adam From Middle English Adam, from Old English Adam, from Latin Adam, Adamus, from Ancient Greek Ἀδάμ (Adám), Ἄδαμος (Ádamos), from Biblical Hebrew…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends M
- compatible short style
- shared origin connection
Ajax
From Latin Aiāx, from Ancient Greek Αἴᾱς (Aíās).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends X
- compatible short style
- shared origin connection