"judged, vindicated"
Origin: Hebrew 'Dinah'
Language: Hebrew
Dena
Pronunciation: [ d-EEN-uh ]
Does Dena flow with your last name?
A gentle name meaning 'valley' with quiet biblical depth
Hebrew
English
Arabic
Persian
Classic
Gentle
Elegant
Vintage
Minimalist
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"valley"
Origin: Old English 'denu'
Language: English
"religion, way of life"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Arabic
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The Story of Dena
Dena is both a Hebrew and English name. As a Hebrew variant of Dinah, it means 'judged' or 'vindicated.' Dinah was the daughter of Jacob and Leah in the Old Testament. As an English name, Dena derives from the Old English 'denu' meaning 'valley,' the same root as Dean and Deanna. This dual origin gives the name a layered quality — earthy English landscape meets biblical heritage.
Dena enjoyed moderate popularity in the mid-20th century United States, particularly in the 1940s-1960s. It has since settled into quiet use, appreciated for its simple two-syllable sound and clean vowel ending. The name benefits from familiarity without being overused, making it distinctive in contemporary birth records.
In Hebrew tradition, Dinah (from which Dena derives) is one of the few named women in the book of Genesis and the only daughter of Jacob mentioned by name. In Arabic-speaking cultures, Dena is also used as a feminine name meaning 'religion' or 'way of life,' broadening its cross-cultural appeal.
Historical Record
Dena first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 27,820 babies have been named Dena in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Dena is past its peak , currently ranked #4,802 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Dinah was the name of a character in Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland — Alice's beloved cat
- Dena is the Anglicized form of both the Hebrew Dinah and the Arabic Dina, meaning it spans two major world traditions
- 'Dena' appears as a place name in multiple US states, derived from the Old English word for valley
Dena in Other Languages
Greek
Ντένα
Arabic
دينا (Dina)
Hebrew
דינה (Dinah)
Italian
Dena / Dina
Persian
دینا
Popularity Over Time
#4,802
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1970
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Dena
D
Dinah (biblical)
Other
Daughter of Jacob and Leah in the Book of Genesis, one of the few named women in the patriarchal narratives
D
Dena Bank
Business
Name used by Dena Bank, one of India's major nationalized banks, increasing name recognition across South Asia
D
Dinah Drake (Black Canary) Fictional
Other
Fictional DC Comics superhero Black Canary, whose real name is Dinah, a skilled martial artist and crime fighter
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Compare Dena with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #4,802
- Total SSA Count
- 28
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew English Arabic Persian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Dee
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Dena
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Dena is also used as a boy name, ranked #16643.
View Dena as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Dena
What does the name Dena mean?
"judged, vindicated" (from Hebrew 'Dinah'). "valley" (from Old English 'denu'). "religion, way of life" (from Arabic). Dena is both a Hebrew and English name. As a Hebrew variant of Dinah, it means 'judged' or 'vindicated.' Dinah was the daughter of Jacob and Leah in the Old Testament. As an English name, Dena derives from the Old English 'denu' meaning 'valley,' the same root as Dean and Deanna. This dual origin gives the name a layered quality — earthy English landscape meets biblical heritage.
What is the origin of the name Dena?
Dena has Hebrew 'Dinah', Old English 'denu', Arabic, Hebrew, English, and Persian origins. In Hebrew 'Dinah', it means "judged, vindicated". In Old English 'denu', it means "valley". In Arabic, it means "religion, way of life".
Is Dena a boy or girl name?
Dena is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #4802. As a boy name, it is ranked #16643. Dena is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Dena?
Dena is pronounced d-EEN-uh.
How popular is the name Dena?
Dena is currently ranked #4802 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Dena?
Common nicknames for Dena include Dee.
What are good middle names for Dena?
Popular middle name pairings include Dena Marie, Dena Rose, Dena Lynn, Dena Grace, Dena Claire, Dena Mae, and Dena Ruth.
What are good sibling names for Dena?
Names that pair well with Dena as siblings include Lena, Tara, Mara, Joel, Seth, Caleb, and Naomi.
How many syllables does Dena have?
Dena has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Dena a common or rare name?
Dena is an uncommon name, ranked #4802 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Dena?
About the Name Dena
Dena is a girl name with Hebrew, English, Arabic, and Persian origins . The name means "judged, vindicated" in Hebrew 'Dinah' .
Is Dena a boy or girl name? Dena is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #4,802 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #16,643. Dena is more commonly used as a girl name.
Dena is currently ranked #4,802 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Dena has 2 syllables and is pronounced d-EEN-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Dena include Dee. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Dena include Denver, Denise, Denisse, Denali, Denim . 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