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The short answer
Selena is a feminine name that is the Latinized form of Selene, the Greek word for "moon" and the name of the Greek moon goddess. Behind the Name notes it was borne by the popular Mexican-American singer Selena Quintanilla (1971-1995), known simply as Selena, and by actress and singer Selena Gomez (1992-). It is pronounced sə-LEE-nə. In the United States it ranked #268 for girls in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
Behind the Name gives Selena as the "Latinized form of Selene", and its Selene entry glosses that name as meaning "moon" in Greek, the name of a Greek Titan goddess of the moon sometimes identified with Artemis. Behind the Name adds that Selena's own popularity owes much to singer Selena Quintanilla (1971-1995) and actress/singer Selena Gomez (1992-).
Editorial confidence: established
Linguistic roots
| Language | Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Ancient Greek | Σελήνη (Selene) | moon |
Popularity
Selena ranked #268 for girls in the United States in 2025, per Social Security Administration data.
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #268 | ssa-2025 |
Nicknames, variants, and related names
Nicknames: Sel
Variants: Selina, Selene, Séléna
Related names: Selene, Sélène, Selini
What the name feels like
Selena combines a mythological, celestial meaning with strong modern pop-culture associations, giving it both an old and a current feel at once.
Style tags: mythological, celestial, pop culture
Editorial interpretation: This style read is editorial judgment, not linguistic fact. The pop-culture association is documented by Behind the Name as a driver of the name's popularity, not as part of its etymology.
If you like this name
Names sharing Selena's mythological moon meaning or its sound.
Similar by meaning
Similar by sound
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Selena mean?
Selena is the Latinized form of Selene, the Greek word for "moon", and the name of the Greek moon goddess.
Is Selena a popular name?
Selena ranked #268 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.
Is Selena named after a famous person?
The name predates its famous bearers, but Behind the Name credits singer Selena Quintanilla and actress/singer Selena Gomez with boosting its popularity in modern use.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Selena — supports etymology, pronunciation, history.
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Selene — supports etymology.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.
