Nena
Below 5 births
About Nena
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.
Pronounced NAY-nuh.
As of October 2026, Nena ranked #10018 in US births in 2024 SSA, peaked at #662 in 1882.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank | Births | Per million |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | — | 0 | 0 |
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Nena on lists
Famous Nenas
- 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
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"