Nena

Short form of names that end in -nina

Nena Origin and Meaning

The name Nena is a girl's name.

Nena is a charming feminine name with Spanish and Italian origins. It traditionally serves as a term of endearment meaning 'little girl' or 'baby' in Spanish. The name gained international recognition in the 1980s when the German band Nena had a hit with '99 Luftballons'. As a given name, Nena has a sweet, melodic quality that feels both playful and feminine. It can also be used as a nickname for names like Elena, Magdalena, or Anena. While never extremely common in English-speaking countries, Nena maintains steady usage particularly in Hispanic communities. The name's brevity and easy pronunciation give it a modern feel despite its traditional roots, making it appealing to parents looking for a short, distinctive name with cross-cultural appeal.

Nena Rank in US Top 1000

# 949 in the US

Famous People Named Nena

• Nena stage name of Gabriele Susanne Kerner, German pop singer
• Birgitte Caroline "Nena" von Schlebrügge American model and mother of actress Uma Thurman
• Nena Djurovic Serbian singer
• Remy "Nena" Cardenas Filipina singer
• Nena Danevic American film editor
• Nena Ristic Serbian model

The name Nena in Pop Culture

• Nena Daconte character in short story "The Trail Of Your Blood On The Snow" by Gabriel García Márquez
• Nena Trinity character in anime "Mobile Suit Gundam 00"