Lena
Say it: LEN-a/ˈlɛ.nə/
GirlMeans usually explained through Helena as "torch" or "bright light"4 letters2 syllables
#266
in Ireland (2025)
#267 with spellings combined
16
babies in 2025
#71
best rank (2012)
1,307
babies since 1964
Down 189
10-year rank change
Lena through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (girls) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 16 | #267 |
| 2024 | 18 | #235 |
| 2023 | 23 | #200 |
| 2022 | 39 | #137 |
| 2021 | 28 | #174 |
| 2020 | 38 | #132 |
| 2019 | 39 | #139 |
| 2018 | 45 | #127 |
| 2017 | 68 | #85 |
| 2016 | 57 | #101 |
| 2015 | 82 | #78 |
| 2014 | 87 | #79 |
| 2013 | 82 | #78 |
| 2012 | 99 | #71 |
| 2011 | 83 | #85 |
| 2010 | 81 | #83 |
| 2009 | 56 | #119 |
| 2008 | 30 | #189 |
| 2007 | 24 | #212 |
| 2006 | 13 | #303 |
| 2005 | 5 | #524 |
| 2004 | 10 | #317 |
| 2003 | 7 | #403 |
| 2002 | 8 | #352 |
| 2001 | 7 | #369 |
| 2000 | 6 | #379 |
| 1999 | 7 | #323 |
| 1998 | 3 | #499 |
| 1997 | 7 | #363 |
| 1996 | 8 | #333 |
| 1995 | 10 | #296 |
| 1994 | 8 | #329 |
| 1993 | 4 | #448 |
| 1992 | 3 | #522 |
| 1991 | 9 | #319 |
| 1990 | 8 | #336 |
| 1989 | 9 | #315 |
| 1988 | 8 | #344 |
| 1987 | 4 | #446 |
| 1986 | 6 | #388 |
| 1985 | 9 | #325 |
| 1984 | 4 | #459 |
| 1983 | 8 | #347 |
| 1982 | 13 | #286 |
| 1981 | 5 | #423 |
| 1980 | 18 | #245 |
| 1979 | 12 | #303 |
| 1978 | 10 | #315 |
| 1977 | 12 | #283 |
| 1976 | 8 | #329 |
| 1975 | 10 | #297 |
| 1974 | 9 | #300 |
| 1973 | 4 | #449 |
| 1972 | 6 | #352 |
| 1971 | 3 | #466 |
| 1970 | 6 | #326 |
| 1969 | 7 | #303 |
| 1968 | 5 | #327 |
| 1967 | 3 | #393 |
| 1966 | 3 | #380 |
| 1965 | 4 | #325 |
| 1964 | 3 | #372 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0. Spellings with and without fadas are combined; the CSO only recorded fadas from 2018.
★ What does Lena mean?
Usually explained through Helena as "torch" or "bright light"
A short form of Helena, Magdalena and Elena, used in Scandinavia, Germany and eastern Europe.
Say it right
LENa
LEE-na and LAY-na are both heard too.
The story of Lena
Lena began as a short form of longer names ending in -lena or -ena, such as Helena, Magdalena and Elena. It is used that way in Scandinavian countries, Germany, Poland and Russia, and in many places it is now a name in its own right. Helena is usually linked to a Greek word for a torch or bright light, though that meaning is not certain.
Lena has been given in Ireland in small numbers throughout the CSO records. It grew quickly in the 2000s and had its best year in 2012, when 99 girls were named Lena and it reached number 71. It has fallen back since, and in 2025 there were 16 girls, at number 267 on the combined count.
The CSO also lists a few girls spelled Léna; these figures combine the two spellings. In Northern Ireland the name was also at its best in 2012, reaching number 131.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Lena (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Lena (name)
- CSO VSA60, Girls Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, Baby Names in Northern Ireland, full name list 1997-2025
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Lena | 16 | 1,301 |
| Léna | under 3 | 6 |
In Northern Ireland
#259 in 2025 with 6 babies. Best rank #131 (2012); 212 babies since 2001.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.