NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Salena

A feminine name of Greek origin meaning "calm, placid".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Salena is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Salena popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5687, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2003, with 6 births.

This profile covers 50 England and Wales registrations across 13 recorded years from 1999 to 2023. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 50 living people in the UK are called Salena. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2024 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Salena ranked #5687 for girls in England and Wales in 2023, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2003, when 6 girls were registered as Salena.
  • About 50 living people in the UK are estimated to have Salena as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5687

2023

Births in 2023

3

Latest year

Peak year

2003

6 births

Estimated living

50

2026

Meaning

What does Salena mean?

The name Salena is believed to have its origins in Ancient Greece, where it was derived from the Greek word "selene," meaning "moon." It is thought to have been used as a name in the region as early as the 5th century BCE.

In Greek mythology, Selene was the goddess of the moon, often depicted as a beautiful woman riding a chariot drawn by horses or bulls. The name Salena was likely a variation of this ancient goddess's name, possibly used to honor or invoke her divine influence.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Salena was a Greek philosopher who lived in the 4th century BCE. She was a follower of Plato and is mentioned in some of his dialogues, although little is known about her life beyond her association with the great philosopher.

In the Middle Ages, the name Salena appeared in various European regions, particularly in Italy and Spain. It is believed that the name was introduced to these areas through the influence of Greek culture and the spread of Christianity, which often incorporated elements of ancient mythology.

One notable figure with the name Salena was an Italian noblewoman who lived in the 15th century. She was known for her patronage of the arts and her support of Renaissance artists and writers, including the famous sculptor and painter, Michelangelo.

In the 16th century, a Spanish woman named Salena de Ávila was a prominent figure in the Catholic Church. She was known for her religious devotion and her work in establishing convents and providing aid to the poor.

Another historical figure with the name Salena was a French composer and musician who lived in the 18th century. She was renowned for her skills as a harpsichordist and her compositions for the instrument, which were widely performed in the salons of Paris.

In the 19th century, a British writer named Salena Browning gained recognition for her poetry and her work as a social reformer, advocating for women's rights and education.

While the name Salena has ancient roots and a rich history, it has remained relatively uncommon throughout the centuries, with only a handful of notable individuals bearing this name. Its connection to the Greek goddess of the moon and its link to various cultural and artistic figures have contributed to its enduring mystique and appeal.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Salena over time

The chart below shows babies named Salena registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1999 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Salena, the clearest high point is 2003. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2023, compared with 6 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Salena
02356199920112023

Decades

Salena by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Salena was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #5634 6 2
2010s #5273 18 5
2000s #3669 23 5
1990s #3900 3 1

Related

Names similar to Salena

FAQ

Salena: questions and answers

How popular is the name Salena in the UK right now?

In 2023, Salena was ranked #5687 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Salena most popular?

The peak year on record was 2003, with 6 babies registered as Salena in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Salena?

A feminine name of Greek origin meaning "calm, placid".

How many people are called Salena in the UK?

A total of 50 babies have been registered as Salena across the 13 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.