Nena Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Nena is a name of Spanish origin meaning 'girl' or 'baby girl.' It evolved from the Spanish word for a young female and has historical forms that reflect its affectionate use. The name is commonly associated with youth and has gained popularity in recent decades. It has no biblical relevance but is embraced in various cultures, especially in Spanish-speaking regions.
The name Nena is most popular in Texas, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Baby Boomers generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Nena has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Nena' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1434th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1627th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1193rd out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1710th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 2425th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 4481st out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 8087th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Nena' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Nena"
Pronunciation
/ˈneɪ.nə/
Origin
Spanish
Etymology
The name Nena is derived from the Spanish word 'nena,' which means 'girl' or 'baby girl.' It is often used as a term of endearment.
Meaning
girl, baby girl, little girl
Language Evolution
Nena (Spanish), Nene (Spanish, masculine form), Nena (Italian, with similar meaning)
Historical Usage
The name Nena gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in Spanish-speaking countries, often associated with affection and youth.
Variants & Derivatives
Nene, Ninette, Nini
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Nena is perceived as a youthful and affectionate name, often associated with warmth and beauty.
Famous People
Nena (German singer), Nena Daconte (Spanish singer), Nena (character in various films and literature)
Explore More Nena Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Nena"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Nena"
"Nena" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1434th of 9107 | 535 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1627th of 9204 | 440 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1193rd of 12526 | 1,429 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1710th of 19264 | 888 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 2425th of 27321 | 765 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 4481st of 35406 | 479 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 8087th of 30306 | 162 |
Regional Popularity of "Nena" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Nena" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
56.93% 1347th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- |
100.00% 1556th/1556 |
64.64% 1521st/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
50.61% 1127th/2227 |
95.80% 2328th/2430 |
37.57% 1072nd/2853 |
42.59% 1182nd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
57.24% 1681st/2937 |
- |
49.03% 1725th/3518 |
43.32% 1752nd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
71.40% 2631st/3685 |
68.45% 3063rd/4475 |
50.56% 2626th/5194 |
40.78% 2576th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
88.26% 4044th/4582 |
100.00% 5164th/5164 |
87.19% 6376th/7313 |
56.14% 4190th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - |
84.00% 5272nd/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Nena"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Nena" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.