"moon, moon goddess"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Celena
Pronunciation: [ ch-ehl-EHN-uh ]
Does Celena flow with your last name?
Radiant as moonlight, named for the Greek moon goddess
Greek
Spanish
English
American
Elegant
Classic
Sophisticated
Gentle
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Celena
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"heavenly light"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- Very close to Selena — may be confused with the famous singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez
The Story of Celena
Celena is a variant of Selena, which derives from the Greek goddess Selene (Σελήνη), the personification of the moon. In Greek mythology, Selene drove her silver chariot across the night sky, illuminating the darkness. The name carries the mystery and beauty of the moon through centuries of use into modern times. The 'C' spelling gives it a softer, more European character.
The name Selena/Celena rose sharply in popularity following the meteoric rise and tragic death of Tejano music superstar Selena Quintanilla-Pérez in 1995. The variant Celena offers a distinctive alternative that pays homage to the classic without being directly identified with one person.
The moon goddess Selene was one of the most venerated figures in ancient Greek religion. The 'C' variant Celena is found more commonly in Spanish and Italian-speaking communities where the soft 'c' before 'e' creates a familiar sound.
Historical Record
Celena first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 4,641 babies have been named Celena in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Celena is past its peak , currently ranked #5,555 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Selene was also identified with Artemis and Hecate, making her part of the 'triple goddess' in Greek religion
- The element Selenium was named after Selene when discovered in 1817
- The 2015 Disney film 'Hotel Transylvania 3' features a character named Selena
Celena in Other Languages
Greek
Σελήνη
French
Séléna
Italian
Selena
Spanish
Celena
Portuguese
Selena
Popularity Over Time
#5,555
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1977
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Celena
S
Selena Gomez
Actor
1992
American singer, actress, and producer; one of the most-followed people on Instagram
S
Selena Quintanilla-Pérez
Musician
1971
Legendary Tejano singer known as the 'Queen of Tejano music', whose life was depicted in a 1997 biopic starring Jennifer...
Legendary Tejano singer known as the 'Queen of Tejano music', whose life was depicted in a 1997 biopic starring Jennifer Lopez
S
Selene (Greek Goddess)
Other
Ancient Greek goddess of the moon, depicted driving a silver chariot across the night sky
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Compare Celena with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #5,555
- Total SSA Count
- 23
- Cultural Origins
- Greek Spanish English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Celia
Lena
Celi
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Celena
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Celena
Phonetic neighbors that share Celena's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
Sibling Match
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Same Origin Names (Greek)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Celena
What does the name Celena mean?
"moon, moon goddess" (from Greek). "heavenly light" (from Greek). Celena is a variant of Selena, which derives from the Greek goddess Selene (Σελήνη), the personification of the moon. In Greek mythology, Selene drove her silver chariot across the night sky, illuminating the darkness. The name carries the mystery and beauty of the moon through centuries of use into modern times. The 'C' spelling gives it a softer, more European character.
What is the origin of the name Celena?
Celena has Greek, Spanish, English, and American origins. In Greek, it means "moon, moon goddess". In Greek, it means "heavenly light".
Is Celena a boy or girl name?
Celena is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Celena?
Celena is pronounced ch-ehl-EHN-uh.
How popular is the name Celena?
Celena is currently ranked #5555 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Celena?
Common nicknames for Celena include Celia, Lena, and Celi.
What are good middle names for Celena?
Popular middle name pairings include Celena Marie, Celena Grace, Celena Rose, Celena Elena, Celena Isabella, Celena Victoria, and Celena Ann.
What are good sibling names for Celena?
Names that pair well with Celena as siblings include Bianca, Luna, Serena, Thiago, Marco, Valentina, and Alicia.
How many syllables does Celena have?
Celena has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Celena a common or rare name?
Celena is an uncommon name, ranked #5555 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Celena?
About the Name Celena
Celena is a girl name with Greek, Spanish, English, and American origins . The name means "moon, moon goddess" in Greek .
Celena is currently ranked #5,555 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Celena has 3 syllables and is pronounced ch-ehl-EHN-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Celena include Celia, Lena, and Celi. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Celena include Celeste, Celestia, Celestine . 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