Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Nena
GirlSpanish, English· “little girl; also short form of names”
- Meaning
- little girl; also short form of names
- Origin
- Spanish, English
- Pronunciation
- NAY-nuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- Unranked
- US babies 2025
- 0
- Best rank
- #662 (1882)
- Peak year
- 1963
Meaning and origin of Nena
Nena is a Spanish and English name that is usually said to mean “little girl; also short form of names”.
Nena is a Spanish word meaning little girl, used as an affectionate term and sometimes as a given name. It can also be a short form of names such as Magdalena, Elena and Filomena. The German singer Nena, known for a hit song about red balloons, made the name familiar in the eighties. In English it is said NAY-nuh or NEE-nuh, and in Spanish NEH-nah. It is short and sweet, and it sits beside names like Nina and Lena, which share its sound but have different roots.
Popularity over time
Nena 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 15 different years. Its best national rank was #662 in 1882, and the most babies received it in 1963, when 112 were named Nena. It did not appear in the 2025 data, which only lists names given to at least five babies.
Its national rank moved from #1,689 in 1920, #1,358 in 1950, #1,241 in 1980, #3,955 in 2000, and #5,208 in 2010. Of the 4,896 US girls named Nena since records began, 17% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 778 babies. Since 2010, 235 more have been named Nena.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Penney, Jolynn, Delinda, Tammara, and Kamala.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Nena is usually pronounced NAY-nuh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with N and ends in “-na”.
Middle names for Nena
A few middle names that flow with Nena: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Nena
Similar names
Danna Girl
DAH-nuh
“variant of Dana; origin uncertain” · Spanish
#394
Dayna Girl
DAY-nuh
“variant of Dana” · English
#6,604
Shanna Girl
SHA-nuh
“variant of Shannon, or of Shana” · Irish
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Jenna Girl
JEN-uh
“variant of Jennifer, 'fair one'” · English
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Lana Girl
LAH-nuh
“short form of Alana or Svetlana” · English
#406
Dana Girl
DAY-nuh
“uncertain; several possible origins” · English
#1,027
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
#2,815
Mena Girl
MEE-nuh
“variant of Mina” · German
#6,257
Luna Girl
LOO-nuh
“moon” · Latin
#27
Ana Girl
AH-nuh
“grace, favor (form of Anna)” · Spanish
#245
Savanna Girl
suh-VA-nuh
“grassy plain” · Spanish
#1,090
Lists that include Nena
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nena mean?
Nena is a Spanish and English name that is usually said to mean “little girl; also short form of names”.
What is the origin of the name Nena?
Nena has Spanish and English roots. Nena is a Spanish word meaning little girl, used as an affectionate term and sometimes as a given name.
Is Nena a popular name?
No. Nena was not recorded for five or more babies of its most common sex in 2025, so it is rare today.
Is Nena a boy or girl name?
Nena is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Nena?
Nena is usually pronounced NAY-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