"moon"
Selina
Pronunciation: [ s-uhl-EEN-uh ]
Moonlit grace with ancient Greek roots
Meaning & Origin
"heaven, sky"
Things to Know About This Name
- Selina Kyle is the real name of Catwoman in DC Comics — a fun pop culture tie for many, occasionally unwanted for others
The Story of Selina
Selina is likely derived from the Greek 'Selene,' the goddess of the moon in Greek mythology. Alternatively, it may derive from the Greek 'selene' (moon) or connect to the Latin 'caelum' (heaven/sky), giving it dual celestial meanings. The name has been used in English since at least the 17th century, when classical Greek names were fashionable among the educated classes of Europe.
Selina enjoyed moderate popularity in England and the United States in the 19th and early 20th centuries, associated with the British gentry. It had a revival in the late 20th century, partly through the related name Selena (popularized by singer Selena Quintanilla-Perez) and through DC Comics' Catwoman (Selina Kyle).
Selene was the Greek titaness of the moon, driving her silver chariot across the night sky. The moon's universal association with femininity, mystery, and cycles makes moon-derived names perennially appealing. Selina's British aristocratic associations also give it a refined quality.
Fun Facts
- Selina Kyle (Catwoman) first appeared in Batman comics in 1940 as 'The Cat'
- Selene, the Greek moon goddess, was worshipped alongside Artemis and Hecate as the triple moon goddess representing the three phases of the moon
- Selina has been used as an English given name since at least 1636
Selina in Other Languages
Famous People Named Selina
Selina Scott
Entertainer
1951
Scottish journalist and TV presenter, one of Britain's most recognizable broadcasters of the 1980s and 1990s
Selina Kyle (Catwoman) Fictional
Other
DC Comics character, the Catwoman — a morally complex antihero and love interest of Batman, first appearing in 1940
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #1,308
- Total SSA Count
- 175
- Cultural Origins
- English Greek Turkish German Scandinavian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Selina
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About the Name Selina
Selina is a girl name with English, Greek, Turkish, German, and Scandinavian origins . The name means "moon" in Greek .
Selina is currently ranked #1,308 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Selina has 3 syllables and is pronounced s-uhl-EEN-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Selina include Sel, Lena, Seli, and Lina. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Selina include Seline, Selin . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.