Selena

Pronunciation: [ s-uhl-EEN-uh ]

Girl Name #245 Most Popular Steady 3 Syllables

A moon goddess name shining through the ages

Spanish Latin American Greek American

Elegant Classic Musical Romantic Strong

Meaning & Origin

"moon"

Origin: Greek

Language: English

"goddess of the moon"

Origin: Greek mythology

Language: Greek

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.

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

Famous People Named Selena

Selena Gomez

Musician

1992

Multi-platinum pop star, actress, and mental health advocate with a global following

Selena Quintanilla-Perez

Musician

1971

Queen of Tejano Music, beloved Latin pop icon whose legacy endures decades after her death

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

Selene #674

Common Nicknames

Sel Lena

Pairs Well With

Selena Rose Selena Marie Selena Grace Selena Nicole Selena Victoria Selena Ann

Sibling Names

Elena Natalia Adrian Marco Isabella Sofia

Also a Boy Name

Selena is also used as a boy name, ranked #22391.

View Selena as a boy name →

Similar Names

Ella Lena Eleanor Rena Helena Lina Regina Lenna

Playground Safety

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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.

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.