Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Selena
GirlGreek· “moon”
- Meaning
- moon
- Origin
- Greek
- Pronunciation
- suh-LEE-nuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #268
- US babies 2025
- 1,170
- Best rank
- #91 (1995)
- Peak year
- 1995
Meaning and origin of Selena
Selena is a Greek name that means “moon”.
Selena is a form of Selene, the Greek goddess of the moon, whose name comes from the Greek selas, meaning "light" or "brightness." In Greek mythology Selene drives her chariot across the night sky and is the sister of Helios, the sun. The name has also been linked with the Latin Celina and with other names that sound alike. In the United States Selena is closely associated with Selena Quintanilla, the beloved Tejano music star, and the singer and actress Selena Gomez, who was named after her. The name has a soft, luminous quality and a celestial charm.
Other spellings with the same sound: Selina, Celina, Salina.
Popularity over time
Selena 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 99 different years. Its best national rank was #91 in 1995, the same year it reached its highest count of 3,825 babies. In 2025, 1,170 babies were named Selena, and it ranked #268 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #1,115 in 1920, #1,222 in 1950, #470 in 1980, #194 in 2000, #328 in 2010, and #268 in 2025. Of the 59,887 US girls named Selena since records began, 25% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 12,417 babies. Since 2010, 18,775 more have been named Selena.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Kaitlin, Angelica, Karina, Breanna, and Cheyenne.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Selena ranked highest in New Mexico, Nevada, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | #75 | 17 |
| Nevada | #104 | 21 |
| California | #153 | 200 |
| Oklahoma | #154 | 25 |
| Arizona | #158 | 41 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Selena is usually pronounced suh-LEE-nuh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with S and ends in “-na”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Selina, Celina, and Salina.
Middle names for Selena
A few middle names that flow with Selena: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Selena
Similar names
Athena Girl
uh-THEE-nuh
Greek
#109
Helena Girl
HEH-luh-nuh
“uncertain; possibly torch or light” · Greek
#363
Ariana Girl
ar-ee-AH-nuh
“most holy; form of Ariadne” · Italian
#128
Arianna Girl
ar-ee-AH-nuh
“most holy” · Italian
#234
Elena Girl
eh-LAY-nuh
“form of Helen; meaning uncertain” · Greek
#42
Christina Girl
krihs-TEE-nuh
“follower of Christ” · Latin
#770
Melina Girl
meh-LEE-nuh
“possibly honey” · Greek
#660
Iliana Girl
il-ee-AH-nuh
“uncertain; possibly from Ilion or Helen” · Greek
#730
Ariadna Girl
ah-ree-AHD-nah
“most holy (form of Ariadne)” · Spanish
#1,417
Elara Girl
EH-luh-ruh
“lover of Zeus; a moon of Jupiter” · Greek
#942
Melissa Girl
muh-LIS-uh
“honeybee” · Greek
#420
Elaina Girl
ih-LAY-nuh
“form of Helen; often said to mean torch” · Greek
#267
Lists that include Selena
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Selena mean?
Selena is a Greek name that means “moon”.
What is the origin of the name Selena?
Selena has Greek roots. Selena is a form of Selene, the Greek goddess of the moon, whose name comes from the Greek selas, meaning "light" or "brightness." In Greek mythology Selene drives her chariot across the night sky and is the sister of Helios, the sun.
Is Selena a popular name?
Yes. Selena ranked #268 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Selena a boy or girl name?
Selena is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Selena?
Selena is usually pronounced suh-LEE-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