Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Zena
GirlGreek· “variant of Xenia: hospitality”
- Meaning
- variant of Xenia: hospitality
- Origin
- Greek
- Pronunciation
- ZEE-nuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,457
- US babies 2025
- 73
- Best rank
- #560 (1883)
- Peak year
- 1964
Meaning and origin of Zena
Zena is a Greek name that is usually said to mean “variant of Xenia: hospitality”.
Zena is generally treated as a variant of Xenia, from Greek xenia, hospitality, the ancient custom of welcoming strangers. It can also be a short form of names such as Zenobia or Rosina, which is why its history is described with some caution. The spelling with Z makes the pronunciation obvious to English speakers: ZEE-nuh. It is a crisp, two-syllable name with an unusual initial, similar in feel to Zara, Zora or Lena. Xena, the same sound spelled with X, became widely known through television, but Zena has a longer record as a given name.
Other spellings with the same sound: Xena.
Popularity over time
Zena 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 27 different years. Its best national rank was #560 in 1883, and the most babies received it in 1964, when 222 were named Zena. In 2025, 73 babies were named Zena, and it ranked #2,457 nationally. That is 26% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #1,131 in 1920, #2,184 in 1950, #2,068 in 1980, #3,168 in 2000, #3,815 in 2010, and #2,457 in 2025. Of the 5,986 US girls named Zena since records began, 17% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 735 babies. Since 2010, 1,084 more have been named Zena.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Edie, Loriann, Twyla, Kandy, and Bettina.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Zena ranked highest in North Carolina, Florida, and New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | #1681 | 5 |
| Florida | #1683 | 8 |
| New York | #2067 | 6 |
| California | #2761 | 7 |
| Texas | #2917 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Zena is usually pronounced ZEE-nuh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with Z and ends in “-na”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Xena.
Middle names for Zena
A few middle names that flow with Zena: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Zena
Similar names
Rena Girl
REE-nuh
“short form of Irene or Rina” · Greek
#2,402
Anna Girl
AN-uh
“grace, favor” · Hebrew
#107
Zina Girl
ZEE-nuh
“short for Zinaida; meaning uncertain” · Russian
#7,486
Dana Girl
DAY-nuh
“uncertain; several possible origins” · English
#1,027
Jana Girl
JA-nuh
“God is gracious” · Czech
#1,247
Dina Girl
DEE-nuh
“form of Dinah; judged” · Hebrew
#1,327
Donna Girl
DAH-nuh
“lady” · Italian
#1,965
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
Roxanna Girl
rahk-SAN-uh
“bright, shining” · Persian
#2,856
Mona Girl
MOH-nuh
“uncertain; several possible sources” · Irish
#2,806
Shaina Girl
SHAY-nuh
“beautiful” · Yiddish
#2,404
Lists that include Zena
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Zena mean?
Zena is a Greek name that is usually said to mean “variant of Xenia: hospitality”.
What is the origin of the name Zena?
Zena has Greek roots. Zena is generally treated as a variant of Xenia, from Greek xenia, hospitality, the ancient custom of welcoming strangers.
Is Zena a popular name?
Not especially. Zena ranked #2,457 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Zena a boy or girl name?
Zena is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Zena?
Zena is usually pronounced ZEE-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