"moon"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Selena
Pronunciation: [ s-uhl-EEN-uh ]
Does Selena flow with your last name?
A moon goddess name shining through the ages
Spanish
Latin American
Greek
American
Elegant
Classic
Musical
Romantic
Strong
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"goddess of the moon"
Origin: Greek mythology
Language: Greek
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The Story of Selena
Selena derives from the Greek 'Selene,' the Titan goddess of the moon in Greek mythology. Selene was believed to drive her silver chariot across the sky each night, illuminating the darkness. The Latinized form Selena has been used in the Spanish-speaking world for centuries. In modern times, the name gained worldwide recognition through Selena Quintanilla-Perez, the Tejano music legend from Corpus Christi, Texas.
Selena surged in US popularity following the tragic murder of Tejano star Selena Quintanilla in 1995 and the 1997 Jennifer Lopez biopic. It re-entered the top 100 in the 2000s and received another boost from pop star Selena Gomez's rise to global fame in the 2010s.
In Greek mythology, Selene (moon goddess) was the sister of Helios (sun) and Eos (dawn). The name has deep resonance in Latin American culture due to Selena Quintanilla, considered the 'Queen of Tejano Music' and one of the most celebrated Mexican-American entertainers, whose legacy endures decades after her death.
Historical Record
Selena first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 56,748 babies have been named Selena in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Selena is past its peak , currently ranked #245 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Selene was the Greek Titan goddess of the moon, sister to the sun god Helios
- Selena Quintanilla sold over 60 million records worldwide
- Selena Gomez is one of the most-followed people on social media globally
Selena in Other Languages
Greek
Selene
French
Selena
Italian
Selene
Spanish
Selena
Portuguese
Selena
Popularity Over Time
#245
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1995
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Selena
S
Selena Gomez
Musician
1992
Multi-platinum pop star, actress, and mental health advocate with a global following
S
Selena Quintanilla-Perez
Musician
1971
Queen of Tejano Music, beloved Latin pop icon whose legacy endures decades after her death
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #245
- Total SSA Count
- 1,289
- Cultural Origins
- Spanish Latin American Greek American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Sel
Lena
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Latin American heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Selena
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Selena is also used as a boy name, ranked #22391.
View Selena as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Spanish)
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Greek leirion origin
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Old English (wrenna) origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Selena
What does the name Selena mean?
"moon" (from Greek). "goddess of the moon" (from Greek mythology). Selena derives from the Greek 'Selene,' the Titan goddess of the moon in Greek mythology. Selene was believed to drive her silver chariot across the sky each night, illuminating the darkness. The Latinized form Selena has been used in the Spanish-speaking world for centuries. In modern times, the name gained worldwide recognition through Selena Quintanilla-Perez, the Tejano music legend from Corpus Christi, Texas.
What is the origin of the name Selena?
Selena has Greek, Greek mythology, Spanish, Latin American, and American origins. In Greek, it means "moon". In Greek mythology, it means "goddess of the moon".
Is Selena a boy or girl name?
Selena is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #245. As a boy name, it is ranked #22391. Selena is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Selena?
Selena is pronounced s-uhl-EEN-uh.
How popular is the name Selena?
Selena is currently ranked #245 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Selena?
Common nicknames for Selena include Sel and Lena.
What are good middle names for Selena?
Popular middle name pairings include Selena Rose, Selena Marie, Selena Grace, Selena Nicole, Selena Victoria, and Selena Ann.
What are good sibling names for Selena?
Names that pair well with Selena as siblings include Elena, Natalia, Adrian, Marco, Isabella, and Sofia.
How many syllables does Selena have?
Selena has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Selena a common or rare name?
Selena is a popular name, ranked #245 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Selena?
Are there other spellings for Selena?
Related spellings include Selene.
About the Name Selena
Selena is a girl name with Spanish, Latin American, Greek, and American origins . The name means "moon" in Greek .
Is Selena a boy or girl name? Selena is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #245 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #22,391. Selena is more commonly used as a girl name.
Selena is currently ranked #245 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Selena has 3 syllables and is pronounced s-uhl-EEN-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Selena include Sel and Lena. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Selena include Selene . 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