Nena
Every Nena since 1880 — 4,896 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Nena
Nena is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1880, 4,896 American babies have been named Nena. Its peak came in 1963, when 112 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1960s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Nena stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Nena year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | 11 | #9,388 |
| 2023 | 12 | #8,836 |
| 2022 | 12 | #8,904 |
| 2021 | 9 | #10,889 |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | 14 | #8,031 |
| 2018 | 14 | #8,041 |
| 2017 | 19 | #6,464 |
| 2016 | 20 | #6,350 |
| 2015 | 12 | #9,341 |
| 2014 | 17 | #7,222 |
| 2013 | 23 | #5,785 |
| 2012 | 23 | #5,846 |
| 2011 | 22 | #6,091 |
| 2010 | 27 | #5,208 |
| 2009 | 25 | #5,665 |
| 2008 | 26 | #5,540 |
| 2007 | 37 | #4,189 |
| 2006 | 27 | #5,186 |
| 2005 | 37 | #3,926 |
| 2004 | 40 | #3,677 |
| 2003 | 23 | #5,361 |
| 2002 | 38 | #3,571 |
| 2001 | 31 | #4,083 |
| 2000 | 32 | #3,955 |
| 1995 | 31 | #3,561 |
| 1990 | 35 | #3,203 |
| 1985 | 52 | #2,069 |
| 1980 | 106 | #1,241 |
| 1975 | 51 | #1,827 |
| 1970 | 47 | #1,872 |
| 1965 | 86 | #1,154 |
| 1960 | 85 | #1,184 |
| 1955 | 96 | #1,029 |
| 1950 | 46 | #1,358 |
| 1945 | 27 | #1,611 |
| 1940 | 20 | #1,830 |
| 1935 | 15 | #2,183 |
| 1930 | 21 | #1,793 |
| 1925 | 25 | #1,735 |
| 1920 | 25 | #1,689 |
| 1915 | 31 | #1,278 |
| 1910 | 9 | #1,726 |
| 1905 | 8 | #1,503 |
| 1900 | 16 | #959 |
| 1895 | 12 | #969 |
| 1890 | 5 | #1,476 |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | 8 | #663 |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Nena in 2025?
Nena did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Nena?
4,896 babies have been named Nena in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Nena most popular?
Nena peaked in 1963, when 112 newborns received the name.
Is Nena a boy or girl name?
Nena is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Nena rising or falling?
Nena is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.