Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Rena
GirlGreek, Hebrew· “short form of Irene or Rina”
- Meaning
- short form of Irene or Rina
- Origin
- Greek, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- REE-nuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,402
- US babies 2025
- 75
- Best rank
- #153 (1885)
- Peak year
- 1962
Meaning and origin of Rena
Rena is a Greek and Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “short form of Irene or Rina”.
Rena has several possible sources. It is often a short form of Irene, from the Greek eirene, meaning peace, and it is also used as a Hebrew name related to Rina, meaning joy or song. In some families it serves as a nickname for names ending in -rena or -rina, such as Serena or Lorena. The name had its greatest use in the US in the early twentieth century, which gives it a vintage feel today. It is typically said REE-nuh, though REH-nuh is also common. It is short and gentle, and it fits alongside names like Nina and Lena.
Other spellings with the same sound: Rina.
Popularity over time
Rena 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 110 different years. Its best national rank was #153 in 1885, and the most babies received it in 1962, when 575 were named Rena. In 2025, 75 babies were named Rena, and it ranked #2,402 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #293 in 1920, #416 in 1950, #607 in 1980, #1,468 in 2000, #2,006 in 2010, and #2,402 in 2025. Of the 39,124 US girls named Rena since records began, 12% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 4,719 babies. Since 2010, 1,239 more have been named Rena.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Deanne, Deidre, Johnna, Leann, and Marybeth.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Rena ranked highest in New Jersey, Illinois, and New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | #705 | 11 |
| Illinois | #1211 | 7 |
| New York | #1499 | 9 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Rena is usually pronounced REE-nuh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with R and ends in “-na”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Rina.
Middle names for Rena
A few middle names that flow with Rena: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Rena
Similar names
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Lists that include Rena
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Rena mean?
Rena is a Greek and Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “short form of Irene or Rina”.
What is the origin of the name Rena?
Rena has Greek and Hebrew roots. Rena has several possible sources.
Is Rena a popular name?
Not especially. Rena ranked #2,402 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Rena a boy or girl name?
Rena is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Rena?
Rena is usually pronounced REE-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