Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Milena
GirlSlavic, Czech· “gracious, dear”
- Meaning
- gracious, dear
- Origin
- Slavic, Czech
- Pronunciation
- mih-LEH-nuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #950
- US babies 2025
- 271
- Best rank
- #678 (2019)
- Peak year
- 2019
Meaning and origin of Milena
Milena is a Slavic and Czech name that means “gracious, dear”.
Milena is a Slavic name built on the element mil, meaning gracious or dear, the same root found in Milan and Ludmila. It is popular in the Czech Republic, Serbia, Bulgaria, Poland and other countries, and it is also used in Italy and Latin America. Czech journalist Milena Jesenská, a correspondent of Franz Kafka, is remembered through his published Letters to Milena. Milena has a soft, melodic sound and an international appeal that has made it more familiar in the United States. Mila and Lena are ready-made nicknames.
Popularity over time
Milena first appears in US Social Security records in 1918. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 14 different years, starting in 2012. Its best national rank was #678 in 2019, the same year it reached its highest count of 428 babies. In 2025, 271 babies were named Milena, and it ranked #950 nationally. That is 27% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #3,801 in 1980, #1,586 in 2000, #1,251 in 2010, and #950 in 2025. Of the 7,749 US girls named Milena since records began, 42% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 2,083 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Nala, Livia, Kairi, Mercy, and Kamiyah.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Milena ranked highest in Florida, Massachusetts, and Illinois.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | #592 | 30 |
| Massachusetts | #604 | 9 |
| Illinois | #652 | 15 |
| Washington | #661 | 10 |
| New Jersey | #698 | 11 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Milena is usually pronounced mih-LEH-nuh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with M and ends in “-na”.
Middle names for Milena
A few middle names that flow with Milena: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Milena
Similar names
Alena Girl
uh-LAY-nuh
“short form of Helena or Magdalena” · Czech
#707
Alina Girl
uh-LEE-nuh
“short form of Adelina, 'noble'” · Germanic
#130
Ivana Girl
ih-VAH-nuh
“God is gracious” · Slavic
#1,102
Kalina Girl
kuh-LEE-nuh
“viburnum shrub” · Slavic
#1,566
Brianna Girl
bree-AN-uh
“feminine of Brian” · Irish
#222
Athena Girl
uh-THEE-nuh
Greek
#109
Ximena Girl
hee-MEH-nuh
“possibly from Simon, 'he has heard'” · Spanish
#183
Alana Girl
uh-LAN-uh
“feminine form of Alan” · Breton
#140
Alaina Girl
uh-LAY-nuh
“feminine form of Alan” · Breton
#224
Julianna Girl
joo-lee-AN-uh
“from Julius, possibly 'youthful'” · Latin
#398
Elliana Girl
el-ee-AH-nuh
“my God has answered” · Hebrew
#139
Alayna Girl
uh-LAY-nuh
“modern spelling of Alaina” · American (modern coinage)
#332
Lists that include Milena
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Milena mean?
Milena is a Slavic and Czech name that means “gracious, dear”.
What is the origin of the name Milena?
Milena has Slavic and Czech roots. Milena is a Slavic name built on the element mil, meaning gracious or dear, the same root found in Milan and Ludmila.
Is Milena a popular name?
Yes. Milena ranked #950 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Milena a boy or girl name?
Milena is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Milena?
Milena is usually pronounced mih-LEH-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