Girl
Greek
3 syllables
Selena
seh-LEE-nah
/səˈliːnə/
"The moon one" — a name of luminous beauty, celestial grace, and timeless enchantment
Selena is a name of celestial beauty, derived from the Greek goddess Selene who personified the moon and drove its silver chariot across the night sky. With its soft, flowing sound and luminous meaning, Selena has been embraced across cultures—from ancient Greece through Latin America to the global stage. The name's most powerful association in modern times is the Mexican-American singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, the Queen of Tejano music, whose tragic death at 23 in 1995 cemented her as an icon and her name as one of profound cultural resonance.
Quick Facts
Letters6
SyllablesSe · le · na
GenderGirl
OriginGreek
Root WordSelene
MeaningMoon, moonlight
PopularityVery Popular
Peak Year2016
Trend
→ Stable
Nicknames
SelLenaSelly
About the Name Selena
Selena means 'moon' or 'moonlight,' derived from the Greek Selene, the goddess who personified the moon and drove its silver chariot across the night sky. The name carries all of the moon's symbolic associations: mystery, beauty, femininity, cycles of renewal, and a luminous power that illuminates without overwhelming.
Selena has strong associations with Spanish-speaking cultures, particularly in Latin America where it has been popular for generations. Its most famous modern bearer, Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, was Mexican-American. However, the name's ultimate origin is Greek, and it is used across many cultures. Its Latin American associations have given it a warm, musical energy that resonates globally.
Selenas are often described as luminous, creative, and warmly magnetic. The name evokes the moon's quality of quiet beauty that draws the eye—someone who shines without demanding attention. People named Selena tend to be artistic, empathetic, and possessed of a deep emotional richness that makes them deeply memorable.
Selena entered the US top 100 in the late 1990s following the death of Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, as many parents chose the name as a tribute. It has remained in the top 150 since, boosted further by the fame of Selena Gomez. It is particularly popular in Latino communities but has broad mainstream appeal.
Selena's three flowing syllables pair beautifully with both short and longer middle names. Lovely combinations include Selena Rose, Selena Grace, Selena Marie, Selena Jade, and Selena Celeste. For a celestial pairing, Selena Luna or Selena Orion embrace the name's moonlit heritage beautifully.
Selena is a Latinized form of the Greek Selene, the ancient goddess and personification of the moon. Selene was one of the Titans in Greek mythology, sister of Helios (sun) and Eos (dawn). She drove a silver chariot of the moon across the sky each night. The name has been used across European and Latin American cultures for centuries and gained massive new cultural resonance through the Mexican-American singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez.
Personality of Selena
Perceived character traits commonly associated with people named Selena
Creativity
88%
Elegance
90%
Independence
80%
Intelligence
82%
Strength
78%
Warmth
84%
Famous People Named Selena
S
Selena Quintanilla-Pérez
The Queen of Tejano music, one of the best-selling Latin artists in history
S
Selena Gomez
American actress and singer, one of the most-followed people on Instagram
S
Selene (Greek mythology)
Goddess and personification of the moon in ancient Greek religion
S
Selena (biopic)
1997 biographical film starring Jennifer Lopez as Selena Quintanilla
S
Selena (Netflix series)
Biographical drama series about Selena Quintanilla's life and career
Middle Names for Selena
Beautiful combinations that flow well with Selena
Selena Rose
Selena Marie
Selena Grace
Selena Jade
Selena Claire
Selena Celeste
Selena Luna
Selena Elise
Selena Renee
Selena Simone
Selena Joy
Selena Nicole
Names Similar to Selena
Similar Sound
Similar Meaning
Sibling Name Ideas
History of Selena
700 BC
Selene is worshipped as the personification of the moon in ancient Greece
300 BC
Selene is identified with Artemis and later Diana in Greco-Roman religious syncretism
1971
Selena Quintanilla-Perez is born in Lake Jackson, Texas
1994
Selena wins the Grammy for Best Mexican-American Album, her only Grammy before her death
1995
Selena's death at 23 shocks the world; the name becomes a tribute choice for many parents
Numerology & Symbolism of Selena
2
Destiny Number
Sum of all letters
2
Soul Urge
Sum of vowels
♍
Zodiac Affinity
Cancer
7
Lucky Number
Personal power digit
🎨
Lucky Color
Silver
💎
Lucky Stone
Moonstone
🌸
Lucky Flower
White Jasmine
Selena Around the World
How Selena is written in different languages and scripts
سيلينا
Arabic
セレナ
Japanese
Селена
Russian
셀레나
Korean
赛琳娜
Chinese
Σελήνη
Greek
सेलेना
Hindi
סלנה
Hebrew
Looking for Name Ideas?
Explore our name inspiration guides