Scandinavian, German and Polish short form of Helena the Latinate form of Helen, English form of the Greek ‘Ελενη (Helene), probably from Greek ‘ελενη (helene) "torch" or "corposant", or possibly related to σεληνη (selene) "moon". In Greek mythology Helen was the daughter of Zeus and Leda, whose kidnapping by Paris was the cause of the Trojan War. The name was also borne by the 4th-century Saint Helena, mother of the Roman emperor Constantine, who supposedly found the True Cross during a trip to Jerusalem. - quoted from Behind The Name
Lena hasn't ever been super popular in the USA, but in the late 1800's it rated as high as #41, and it is much more popular in other countries. It ranked #1 in Poland, #8 in Austria, #13 in France, #13 in Switzerland and #18 in Belgium.
I've only heard of one modern Lena, one time when I was a craft store a mom was calling her little girl "Lee-nuh!" and it was quite cute, not sure if it was just a nickname or a full name.
On my dad's family tree he has a great-grandmother named Lena Viola and she named her daughter Beatrice Elena - lovely names!
Lena is at the top of my favorites list, right below Amy. I go back and forth trying to decide whether to use it as a full first name or just a nickname for Eleanor. I also can't decide whether to pronounce it LEE-nuh or LAY-nuh. My favorite combos are Lena Sally, Lena Mary, Lena Mercy, Lena Ruth and Lena Viola. I also like Eleanor Sally "Lena", Eleanor Mary "Lena" and Eleanor Joyce "Lena".
What do you think of the name Lena?
Do you know anyone with this name?
What other names would you pair it with?
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