Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Mena
GirlGerman, English· “variant of Mina”
- Meaning
- variant of Mina (origin disputed)
- Origin
- German, English
- Pronunciation
- MEE-nuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #6,257
- US babies 2025
- 19
- Best rank
- #808 (1880)
- Peak year
- 2008
Meaning and origin of Mena
Mena is often said to mean “variant of Mina”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to German and English roots.
Mena has several possible sources, so its meaning is uncertain. It may be a short form of names like Philomena or Wilhelmina, a variant of Mina, or a word from other languages; in Coptic tradition, Saint Menas, sometimes spelled Mina, is a popular Egyptian saint. It is said MEE-nuh or MEH-nuh, depending on the family. The actress Mena Suvari is a known bearer. Mina, Meena and Minna are related names. Because the name is short and the sources are varied, families often choose it for its simplicity.
Other spellings with the same sound: Mina.
Popularity over time
Mena 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 2 different years. Its best national rank was #808 in 1880, and the most babies received it in 2008, when 65 were named Mena. In 2025, 19 babies were named Mena, and it ranked #6,257 nationally. That is 32% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,837 in 1920, #5,101 in 1950, #6,602 in 1980, #4,622 in 2000, #3,556 in 2010, and #6,257 in 2025. Of the 1,517 US girls named Mena since records began, 26% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 333 babies. Since 2010, 457 more have been named Mena.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Aixa, Mali, Kamyah, Kaeleigh, and Alyah.
Gender, sound and spelling
About 91% of US babies named Mena over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Mena is usually pronounced MEE-nuh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with M and ends in “-na”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Mina.
Middle names for Mena
A few middle names that flow with Mena: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Mena
Similar names
Dayna Girl
DAY-nuh
“variant of Dana” · English
#6,604
Jenna Girl
JEN-uh
“variant of Jennifer, 'fair one'” · English
#679
Danna Girl
DAH-nuh
“variant of Dana; origin uncertain” · Spanish
#394
Leanna Girl
lee-AN-uh
“blend of Lee and Anna” · American (modern coinage)
#890
Katrina Girl
kuh-TREE-nuh
“form of Katherine; often linked to pure” · German
#2,226
Leena Girl
LEE-nuh
“short form of names ending in -lina” · English
#1,115
Shanna Girl
SHA-nuh
“variant of Shannon, or of Shana” · Irish
#12,982
Lena Girl
LEE-nuh
“short form of Helena or Magdalena” · German
#279
Lana Girl
LAH-nuh
“short form of Alana or Svetlana” · English
#406
Dana Girl
DAY-nuh
“uncertain; several possible origins” · English
#1,027
Jana Girl
JA-nuh
“God is gracious” · Czech
#1,247
Gina Girl
JEE-nuh
“short form of Regina or Georgina” · Italian
#2,085
Lists that include Mena
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Mena mean?
Mena is often said to mean “variant of Mina”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to German and English roots.
What is the origin of the name Mena?
Mena has German and English roots. Mena has several possible sources, so its meaning is uncertain.
Is Mena a popular name?
Not especially. Mena ranked #6,257 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Mena a boy or girl name?
Mena is mainly a girl's name. About 91% of US babies named Mena over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Mena?
Mena is usually pronounced MEE-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