Lena
Early Life
Lena is a common feminine name in many parts of the world. The name has roots in multiple cultures, including Greek, Scandinavian, and Arabic. In Greek, Lena is a shortened form of names like Helena, which means "light" or "torch". In Scandinavian countries, Lena is a diminutive of Helena or Magdalena, which means "high tower" or "woman from Magdala" respectively. In Arabic, Lena means "generous and kind". This name is also found in other cultures with different meanings.
Popularity
The name Lena has been popular in various countries at different times. According to the U.S. Social Security Administration, Lena was among the top 100 most popular names for girls in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The name saw a decline in popularity in the mid-20th century, but has been steadily rising in popularity since the early 2000s.
In Germany, Lena has consistently been among the top 10 most popular names for girls since the 1990s. Similarly, in Sweden, Lena was the most popular name for girls born in the 1940s and 1950s.
Notable People Named Lena
There are many notable people named Lena in various fields. Some of them include:
- Lena Horne, an American singer, dancer, actress, and civil rights activist. - Lena Dunham, an American actress, writer, director, and producer. - Lena Headey, an English actress known for her role in the television series Game of Thrones. - Lena Olin, a Swedish actress who has been nominated for several awards, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe. - Lena Meyer-Landrut, a German singer-songwriter who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2010.
In Fiction
The name Lena is also commonly used in fiction. Some notable examples include:
- Lena Kaligaris, a character in the novel The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and its film adaptation. - Lena Duchannes, a character in the novel series Beautiful Creatures. - Lena Adams, a character in the television series The Fosters. - Lena Luthor, a character in the television series Supergirl.
See Also
- List of most popular given names - Naming customs - Etymology