Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Serena
GirlLatin· “calm, serene”
- Meaning
- calm, serene
- Origin
- Latin
- Pronunciation
- suh-REE-nuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #325
- US babies 2025
- 942
- Best rank
- #209 (2000)
- Peak year
- 2000
Meaning and origin of Serena
Serena is a Latin name that means “calm, serene”.
Serena comes from the Latin serenus, meaning clear, calm or tranquil, the same root as the English word serene. It appears as a name in late antiquity and was used in Italy for centuries before spreading into English. Edmund Spenser used a character named Serena in The Faerie Queene, which helped give it a literary polish. In modern times tennis champion Serena Williams made it known around the world. The name sounds graceful and composed, and it pairs naturally with both classic and modern surnames.
Popularity over time
Serena 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 105 different years. Its best national rank was #209 in 2000, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,504 babies. In 2025, 942 babies were named Serena, and it ranked #325 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #1,047 in 1920, #1,107 in 1950, #372 in 1980, #209 in 2000, #449 in 2010, and #325 in 2025. Of the 47,450 US girls named Serena since records began, 22% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 8,444 babies. Since 2010, 12,385 more have been named Serena.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Tatiana, Jaqueline, Shayla, Nayeli, and Tatyana.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Serena ranked highest in District of Columbia, New Jersey, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | #144 | 6 |
| New Jersey | #156 | 52 |
| California | #220 | 151 |
| Florida | #221 | 84 |
| New York | #223 | 78 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Serena is usually pronounced suh-REE-nuh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with S and ends in “-na”.
Middle names for Serena
A few middle names that flow with Serena: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Serena
Similar names
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krihs-TEE-nuh
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vee-EH-nuh
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joo-lee-AH-nuh
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joo-lee-AN-uh
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Joanna Girl
joh-AN-uh
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Adrianna Girl
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Sabrina Girl
suh-BREE-nuh
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HEH-luh-nuh
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lee-AH-nuh
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Johanna Girl
joh-HA-nuh
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Marina Girl
muh-REE-nuh
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lil-ee-AH-nuh
“lily” · Latin
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Lists that include Serena
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Serena mean?
Serena is a Latin name that means “calm, serene”.
What is the origin of the name Serena?
Serena has Latin roots. Serena comes from the Latin serenus, meaning clear, calm or tranquil, the same root as the English word serene.
Is Serena a popular name?
Yes. Serena ranked #325 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Serena a boy or girl name?
Serena is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Serena?
Serena is usually pronounced suh-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