"moon, light"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Selene
Pronunciation: [ s-uhl-EEN ]
Does Selene flow with your last name?
A luminous moon goddess name with ancient Greek mystique
Greek
Italian
Spanish
French
Elegant
Spiritual
Whimsical
Vintage
Literary
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"brightness, radiance"
Origin: Proto-Greek
Language: Greek
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The Story of Selene
Selene comes directly from the ancient Greek Σελήνη (Selene), derived from the word for 'light' or 'brightness.' In Greek mythology, Selene was the goddess of the moon — a beautiful Titaness who drove her silver chariot across the night sky. She fell deeply in love with the shepherd Endymion, visiting him nightly as he slept in eternal slumber.
Selene has seen renewed interest in the 2010s-2020s, partly driven by the fantasy film Underworld series (2003+), where the heroine is named Selene. The broader trend of mythological names has also lifted it significantly.
In Greek mythology, Selene personified the moon itself — distinct from Artemis who was the goddess of hunting. In modern Greek culture, the name remains connected to the spiritual and celestial. Italy and Spain use feminine forms (Selena) more commonly.
Historical Record
Selene first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 9,121 babies have been named Selene in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Selene is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #674 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Selene was one of only a few Greek deities associated with a celestial body itself, not just its domain
- A genus of fish (moonfish) is named Selene in her honor
- The chemical element Selenium is named after Selene
Selene in Other Languages
Greek
Σελήνη
Arabic
سيلين
French
Séléné
Italian
Selene
Spanish
Selena
Popularity Over Time
#674
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Selene
S
Selene Vigil-Wilk
Musician
1968
American rock singer, known as the voice of 7 Year Bitch
S
Selene Fictional
Other
Goddess of the moon in Greek mythology, Titaness who drove her chariot across the night sky
S
Selene (Underworld) Fictional
Actor
Vampire warrior protagonist of the Underworld film series, played by Kate Beckinsale
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #674
- Total SSA Count
- 424
- Cultural Origins
- Greek Italian Spanish French
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Selly
Lena
Sel
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Italian heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Italian heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Selene
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Selene is also used as a boy name, ranked #34896.
View Selene as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Greek)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Selene
What does the name Selene mean?
"moon, light" (from Greek). "brightness, radiance" (from Proto-Greek). Selene comes directly from the ancient Greek Σελήνη (Selene), derived from the word for 'light' or 'brightness.' In Greek mythology, Selene was the goddess of the moon — a beautiful Titaness who drove her silver chariot across the night sky. She fell deeply in love with the shepherd Endymion, visiting him nightly as he slept in eternal slumber.
What is the origin of the name Selene?
Selene has Greek, Proto-Greek, Italian, Spanish, and French origins. In Greek, it means "moon, light". In Proto-Greek, it means "brightness, radiance".
Is Selene a boy or girl name?
Selene is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #674. As a boy name, it is ranked #34896. Selene is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Selene?
Selene is pronounced s-uhl-EEN.
How popular is the name Selene?
Selene is currently ranked #674 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Selene?
Common nicknames for Selene include Selly, Lena, and Sel.
What are good middle names for Selene?
Popular middle name pairings include Selene Rose, Selene Marie, Selene Grace, Selene Aurora, Selene Jade, Selene Faye, and Selene Celeste.
What are good sibling names for Selene?
Names that pair well with Selene as siblings include Athena, Chloe, Iris, Luna, Apollo, Orion, and Daphne.
How many syllables does Selene have?
Selene has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Selene a common or rare name?
Selene is moderately common, ranked #674 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What girl names are similar to Selene?
Are there other spellings for Selene?
Related spellings include Selena.
About the Name Selene
Selene is a girl name with Greek, Italian, Spanish, and French origins . The name means "moon, light" in Greek .
Is Selene a boy or girl name? Selene is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #674 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #34,896. Selene is more commonly used as a girl name.
Selene is currently ranked #674 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Selene has 3 syllables and is pronounced s-uhl-EEN, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Selene include Selly, Lena, and Sel. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Selene include Selena . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis