UK girl's name
Shena
A feminine English name meaning "Wanderer" from the Gaelic.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 1998. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Shena is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Shena popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 1998 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3848, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 1998 to 1998. 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.
Shena is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Shena. 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 1999 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Shena ranked #3848 for girls in England and Wales in 1998, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1998, when 3 girls were registered as Shena.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Shena as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3848
1998
Births in 1998
3
Latest year
Peak year
1998
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Shena mean?
The name Shena is believed to have originated from the Sanskrit language, with roots tracing back to ancient India. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "shena," which means "army" or "military force." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with warriors, soldiers, or individuals of military prowess.
In ancient Hindu texts and scriptures, such as the Puranas and the Mahabharata, there are references to characters bearing names similar to Shena. One notable mention is Shenaka, a sage and teacher in the Mahabharata epic. Additionally, the name Shena appears in various regional variations across South Asia, indicating its widespread use and adaptation.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Shena can be traced back to the 6th century CE, where it was found inscribed on ancient temples and monuments in parts of India. During this time period, the name gained popularity among the ruling warrior clans and noble families, reflecting its association with strength and valor.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Shena. One such figure was Shena Kashmiri (1268-1339), a renowned poet and scholar from the Kashmir region, known for his contributions to Persian literature. Another prominent figure was Shena Shah (1514-1572), a military commander and ruler of the Sultanate of Bengal, who played a significant role in the region's history during the 16th century.
In the realm of literature, Shena Gupta (1908-1991) was a celebrated Bengali novelist and playwright, renowned for her works exploring social issues and women's experiences. Shena Sahib (1885-1958), on the other hand, was a renowned Indian classical vocalist and musician, who made significant contributions to the field of Hindustani music.
Lastly, Shena Digby (1929-2011) was a British writer and historian, known for her extensive research and publications on the history of ancient India and the Indus Valley Civilization.
These examples illustrate the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of individuals who have carried the name Shena throughout history, spanning various fields such as literature, music, military, and academia.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Shena by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Shena 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | #3848 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Shena
- Sophie 103,803
- Sophia 46,936
- Scarlett 34,261
- Sienna 32,418
- Sofia 29,136
- Sarah 27,961
- Shannon 25,510
- Summer 24,167
- Sara 14,205
- Skye 13,654
- Samantha 12,697
- Stephanie 9,309
FAQ
Shena: questions and answers
How popular is the name Shena in the UK right now?
In 1998, Shena was ranked #3848 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Shena most popular?
The peak year on record was 1998, with 3 babies registered as Shena in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Shena?
A feminine English name meaning "Wanderer" from the Gaelic.
How many people are called Shena in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Shena across the 1 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.