Back to Baby Names

Sena

Pronunciation: [ s-EHN-uh ]

Girl Name #3,076 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A multicultural gem meaning world's beauty

African Hausa Japanese Turkish Scandinavian
Gentle Elegant Earthy Unique Minimalist

Meaning & Origin

"this world's beauty"
Origin: Hausa
Language: Hausa
"radiance, brilliance"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Turkish
"rapids, flowing water"
Origin: Japanese
Language: Japanese

Things to Know About This Name

  • Senna is a laxative herb — the name Sena sounds identical and this association may come up

The Story of Sena

Sena has multiple independent origins across several cultures. In Hausa (spoken across West Africa), Sena means 'this world's beauty' or 'beauty of the world.' In Japanese, Sena (瀬奈 or 世那) is a name meaning 'rapids' or 'world.' In Turkish, Sena is a form of the Arabic 'Sanaa' meaning 'radiance, brilliance.' In Scandinavian countries, Sena may appear as a diminutive form of names like Selena or Serena. This multicultural resonance makes Sena a genuinely cross-cultural name.

Sena has been growing across multiple naming traditions simultaneously. In Japan, it appears in anime and manga, boosting its visibility among younger generations. In West Africa and among the diaspora, it carries its beautiful Hausa meaning. In Turkey, it has consistently ranked among popular girls' names. The name's multicultural appeal makes it particularly attractive to mixed-heritage families.

In the Hausa-speaking regions of Nigeria, Niger, and surrounding countries, Sena is a celebration of the world itself — calling a daughter 'beauty of the world' is a profound statement of love and wonder. In Japanese culture, the name carries a poetic quality associated with flowing water. The name's short, clean sound also gives it broad appeal in minimalist naming traditions.

Fun Facts

  • Sena is a top-20 girls' name in Turkey, where it means radiance
  • In Hausa tradition, the name expresses a parent's awe at the beauty of the world into which their daughter is born
  • Sena appears in several popular Japanese anime series, contributing to its modern appeal

Sena in Other Languages

Hausa Sena
Arabic ثناء (Sanaa)
Swedish Sena
Turkish Sena
Japanese 瀬奈

Famous People Named Sena

S

Sena Ayana

Politician

1982

Ethiopian politician and member of parliament, representing women in national governance

S

Sena Jurinac

Musician

1921

Acclaimed Bosnian-Austrian soprano known for her Mozart and Strauss interpretations at the Vienna State Opera

Quick Facts

Gender
Girl
Syllables
2
Popularity Rank
#3,076
Total SSA Count
52
Cultural Origins
African Hausa Japanese Turkish Scandinavian
Pronunciation
Easy
Formality
Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease
High

Alternative Spellings

Common Nicknames

Sen

Pairs Well With

Sena Marie Sena Grace Sena Amara Sena Jade Sena Renee Sena Pearl

Sibling Names

Also a Boy Name

Sena is also used as a boy name, ranked #10613.

View Sena as a boy name →

Similar Names

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Sena and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Sena sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name
Browse more girl names →

Explore More Generators

Frequently Asked Questions About Sena

What does the name Sena mean?
"this world's beauty" (from Hausa). "radiance, brilliance" (from Arabic). "rapids, flowing water" (from Japanese). Sena has multiple independent origins across several cultures. In Hausa (spoken across West Africa), Sena means 'this world's beauty' or 'beauty of the world.' In Japanese, Sena (瀬奈 or 世那) is a name meaning 'rapids' or 'world.' In Turkish, Sena is a form of the Arabic 'Sanaa' meaning 'radiance, brilliance.' In Scandinavian countries, Sena may appear as a diminutive form of names like Selena or Serena. This multicultural resonance makes Sena a genuinely cross-cultural name.
What is the origin of the name Sena?
Sena has Hausa, Arabic, Japanese, African, Turkish, and Scandinavian origins. In Hausa, it means "this world's beauty". In Arabic, it means "radiance, brilliance". In Japanese, it means "rapids, flowing water".
Is Sena a boy or girl name?
Sena is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #3076. As a boy name, it is ranked #10613. Sena is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Sena?
Sena is pronounced s-EHN-uh.
How popular is the name Sena?
Sena is currently ranked #3076 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Sena?
Common nicknames for Sena include Sen.
What are good middle names for Sena?
Popular middle name pairings include Sena Marie, Sena Grace, Sena Amara, Sena Jade, Sena Renee, and Sena Pearl.
What are good sibling names for Sena?
Names that pair well with Sena as siblings include Amara, Zara, Kiran, Mila, Remi, and Nia.
How many syllables does Sena have?
Sena has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Sena a common or rare name?
Sena is an uncommon name, ranked #3076 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Sena

Sena is a girl name with African, Hausa, Japanese, Turkish, and Scandinavian origins . The name means "this world's beauty" in Hausa .

Is Sena a boy or girl name? Sena is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #3,076 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #10,613. Sena is more commonly used as a girl name.

Sena is currently ranked #3,076 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Sena has 2 syllables and is pronounced s-EHN-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Sena include Sen. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Sena include Senna . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.

Explore Name Lists