Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Selena

Selena is the Latinized form of Selene which means ‘moon’ in Greek; it is likely connected to the word “selas” (σέλας), meaning ‘brightness’. In Greek mythology, Selene was the goddess of the moon (in Roman Mythology, the moon goddess was called “Luna” which is the Latin word for moon). In ancient Greek tradition, Selene was the daughter of Hyperion (the Titan god of light) and Thea (the Titan sky goddess). She was also the sister of Helios, the sun god, and Eros, the goddess of the dawn. These were the original Greek deities before being overthrown by Zeus and his Olympian gods (which is when Selene was largely supplanted by Artemis). But when the Titans ruled the Heavens and Selene was their moon goddess, she would ride her silver chariot across the sky wearing a brightly lit crown (i.e., the moon) thus illuminating the night sky. In many Greek legends, Selene journeys across the night sky to visit her mortal husband Endymion who was placed in an eternal sleep-state so that he would never leave her. Together they have fifty daughters called the Menai, or Months, representing the fifty lunar months on the four-year Olympiad.

All About the Baby Name – Selena

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME SELENA

The Number 2 personality in numerology is all about cooperation and balance. It's the number of diplomats and mediators. They are not leaders, but strive rather for harmony in partnerships. These are the peacemakers. Equality and fairness are important in their dealings, and they are willing to share power and responsibility to achieve a harmonious outcome. This personality is calm and patient, waiting for things to evolve instead of pushing aggressively for an outcome. They are good-natured and easy-going, and care deeply on an emotional and spiritual plane. Twos appreciate beauty and nature and are intent on making the world a better place.

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME SELENA

Selena existed on the female naming charts in the United States way back in the 1880s and early 1900s (at low levels of usage), but then fell off the charts and into obscurity for the next 40+ years. The name reappeared on the charts in 1958 and this time took hold (although still with low-moderate usage). It looked like the name was once again heading back into hibernation during the 1980s (and in fact came close to falling off the charts again in 1988). Then BAM! The wildly popular Mexican-American singer Selena Quintanilla popped onto the Tejano music scene. Between 1989 and 1995 (the year Selena’s life was tragically cut short) her beautiful name advanced a remarkable 759 positions up the charts in seven short years and right into the Top 100 list of most favored girl names in America. An impressive example of how one beloved pop star can have such a profound impact on the naming practices in this country (Aaliyah is a more current example of this phenomenon). The year of Selena’s death (1995) was when the name reached its highest point on the charts – but in specific states where the concentration of Latino-Americans is greatest is where the name saw most of its success. The name was ranked the 16th most popular name in Texas in 1995, for instance. As time marches on, however, Selena has experienced backwards momentum on the charts. Today, she’s back to moderate usage at best even though a new Latina star (Selena Gomez) is on the horizon. Regardless of Selena’s famous namesakes, the name is absolutely poetic and beautiful; it rolls off the tongue effortlessly (like Alejandra). We love the Greek mythological association with this name - Moon, brightness – and her story of lighting up the sky in order to see her beloved Endymion. In fact, we find the name Selena so appealing we are simply ‘over the moon’ about it!

Quick Facts

ON SELENA

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

Greek

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

3

RANKING POPULARITY:

345

PRONUNCIATION:

sə-LEE-nah

SIMPLE MEANING:

Moon

Characteristics

OF SELENA

Cooperative

Considerate

Compassionate

Nurturing

Sensitive

Patient

Loving

Kind

Gracious

Balanced

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Selena

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME SELENA

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Selena

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME SELENA

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Selena


Popular Songs

ON SELENA

We cannot find any popular or well-known songs with the name of Selena


Famous People

NAMED SELENA

Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, known simply as "Selena" (Tejano singer-songwriter and superstar)
Selena Gomez (singer/actress)

Children of Famous People

NAMED SELENA

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Selena

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME SELENA

Known simply as “Selena”, Selena Quintanilla-Pérez was a Texas-born, Mexican-American singer-songwriter extremely popular in the genre of Tejano music – in fact, she was known as the Queen of Tejano music and she achieved super stardom among Mexican-Americans, Mexico and many other Spanish-speaking countries. She won many awards for being a Top Latin artist in the early-1990s. On the Latin Songs chart, Selena had an astounding seven #1 hits and fourteen Top 10 singles. Beautiful, cheerful, generous and kind, Selena would meet a tragic end. In March of 1995 the President of the Selena Fan Club, Yolanda Saldívar, gunned down the musical beauty just shy of her 24th birthday. Texas and Mexican-Americans across the nation went into a deep morning for the young star. In 1997 a movie called “Selena” was released about her life, starring Jennifer Lopez. Even after death, Selena continues to sell albums – she has already sold over 21 million!!!