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Girl

Lena

light, torch

Origin

Greek

Used in

defrpl

Origin and meaning of Lena

Lena began as a short form of names like Helena or Magdalena, tracing back through them to ancient Greek hēlē, 'light, brightness'. It now lives as an independent name in Germany, France and Poland, where it ranks steadily among favorites per GfdS and equivalent local records, thanks to its short, soft sound that travels easily across European languages. It's a popular pick for understated elegance.

Variants around the world

How Lena sounds in other languages.

HelenaMagdalenaLénaAlena

Famous people

  • Lena Meyer-Landrut— singer

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Frequently asked questions

What does the name Lena mean?

The name Lena means light, torch.

What is the origin of the name Lena?

Origin of Lena: Greek.

What are the international variants of the name Lena?

International variants of Lena: Helena, Magdalena, Léna, and Alena.