Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Ena
GirlIrish, English· “variant of Ina or Enya”
- Meaning
- variant of Ina or Enya (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Irish, English
- Pronunciation
- EE-nuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #3,482
- US babies 2025
- 44
- Best rank
- #352 (1906)
- Peak year
- 1906
Meaning and origin of Ena
Ena is often said to mean “variant of Ina or Enya”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Irish and English roots.
Ena has several possible sources, so its meaning is uncertain. It is used as an anglicized form of the Irish Eithne, a name often explained as kernel or grain, and it is also a short form of names ending in -ina, such as Georgina or Wilhelmina. Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg, queen of Spain, was known in her family as Ena. It is said EE-nuh. Enya, Ina and Aine are related names. Aine, a separate Irish name meaning radiance, is sometimes confused with it.
Popularity over time
Ena has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 22 different years. Its best national rank was #352 in 1906, the same year it reached its highest count of 89 babies. In 2025, 44 babies were named Ena, and it ranked #3,482 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #970 in 1920, #3,499 in 1950, #3,888 in 1980, #4,841 in 2000, #4,893 in 2010, and #3,482 in 2025. Of the 3,587 US girls named Ena since records began, 12% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 397 babies. Since 2010, 652 more have been named Ena.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ena ranked highest in Washington and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | #1108 | 5 |
| California | #2882 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Ena is usually pronounced EE-nuh, with two syllables. It has three letters, starts with E and ends in “-na”.
Middle names for Ena
A few middle names that flow with Ena: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ena
Similar names
Una Girl
OO-nuh
“lamb (Irish) or one (Latin)” · Irish
#3,245
Shanna Girl
SHA-nuh
“variant of Shannon, or of Shana” · Irish
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Breanna Girl
bree-AN-uh
“feminine form of Brian” · Irish
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Dana Girl
DAY-nuh
“uncertain; several possible origins” · English
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Brenna Girl
BREH-nuh
Irish
#1,846
Leena Girl
LEE-nuh
“short form of names ending in -lina” · English
#1,115
Gina Girl
JEE-nuh
“short form of Regina or Georgina” · Italian
#2,085
Tina Girl
TEE-nuh
“short form of names ending in -tina” · English
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Mona Girl
MOH-nuh
“uncertain; several possible sources” · Irish
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Oona Girl
OO-nuh
“from Irish Úna, possibly lamb or unity” · Irish
#2,768
Jenna Girl
JEN-uh
“variant of Jennifer, 'fair one'” · English
#679
Briana Girl
bree-AH-nuh
“possibly high, noble” · Irish
#661
Lists that include Ena
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ena mean?
Ena is often said to mean “variant of Ina or Enya”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Irish and English roots.
What is the origin of the name Ena?
Ena has Irish and English roots. Ena has several possible sources, so its meaning is uncertain.
Is Ena a popular name?
Not especially. Ena ranked #3,482 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Ena a boy or girl name?
Ena is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Ena?
Ena is usually pronounced EE-nuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings