Tena Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Tena has Latin origins, meaning 'to hold' or 'to possess'. It has evolved through various forms in language, maintaining its core meaning. The name is largely perceived as strong and friendly, with no significant biblical references. Tena became more popular in the 20th century and has several variants, including Tina.
The name Tena is most popular in Arkansas, 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, Tena 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, 'Tena' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 941st out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1482nd out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 733rd out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1006th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 4222nd out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 11333rd out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 13046th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Tena' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Tena"
Pronunciation
/ˈtɛnə/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name Tena is derived from the Latin word 'tenere', which means 'to hold' or 'to have'. It is often associated with the idea of possessing or maintaining.
Meaning
to hold, to possess
Language Evolution
Tena (Latin), Tena (Old French), Tena (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Tena gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in the United States, as a feminine name that reflects strength and resilience.
Variants & Derivatives
Tena, Tina, Tenny
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Tena is seen as a unique and modern name, often associated with warmth and friendliness.
Famous People
Tena Stivín, Tena Kinsella
Explore More Tena Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Tena"
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 "Tena"
"Tena" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 941st of 9107 | 1,042 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1482nd of 9204 | 506 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 733rd of 12526 | 3,360 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1006th of 19264 | 1,979 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 4222nd of 27321 | 353 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 11333rd of 35406 | 130 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 13046th of 30306 | 74 |
Regional Popularity of "Tena" 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 "Tena" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
54.03% 765th/1416 |
- |
68.22% 1614th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
79.56% 1230th/1546 |
- |
72.84% 1714th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
27.84% 620th/2227 |
49.22% 1196th/2430 |
21.31% 608th/2853 |
29.69% 824th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
31.05% 912th/2937 |
72.35% 2520th/3483 |
24.08% 847th/3518 |
38.40% 1553rd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - |
94.19% 4892nd/5194 |
93.73% 5921st/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- |
100.00% 5164th/5164 |
- | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- |
100.00% 4487th/4487 |
- | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Tena"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Tena" 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.