Jolena
A feminine name of uncertain etymology, potentially derived from the names Jolie or Lena.
Name Census estimates that about 1,088 living Americans carry the first name Jolena. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Jolena today is around 32 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Jolena births was 1982 (34 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Jolena. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
1.1K
~ 1 in 315,032 Americans
Peak year
1982
34 babies that year
Average age
32
years old
2024 SSA rank
#9,185
Tracked since 1949
Popularity
Jolena: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Jolena from the 1940s through to the 2020s, spanning 9 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2000s, with 235 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 2000s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Jolena by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Jolena during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Jolenas live
Origin
Meaning and history of Jolena
The name Jolena is a unique variation of the more common name Jolene, which has its roots in the Hebrew language and culture. The Hebrew name Yolana, meaning "violet" or "purple," is believed to be the original source from which the name Jolena is derived.
In ancient times, the name Yolana was associated with royalty and nobility due to the rarity and value placed on the color purple. It is mentioned in some ancient Hebrew texts and scrolls, though its usage was relatively limited compared to more popular names of the era.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Jolena can be traced back to the 12th century in parts of Europe, where it was likely adopted and adapted from the Hebrew Yolana. During this time, the name was particularly popular among Jewish communities in Spain and France.
Throughout the centuries, the name Jolena has been borne by several notable historical figures. One of the most famous was Jolena of Aragon (1384-1442), a Spanish noblewoman and patron of the arts who played a significant role in the cultural renaissance of her time.
In the 16th century, Jolena Gonzaga (1510-1566), an Italian noblewoman and patron of the arts, was known for her influential role in the courts of the Italian Renaissance. Her support of artists and scholars helped shape the artistic and intellectual landscape of the era.
Another notable Jolena was Jolena von Schönborn (1675-1749), a German countess and philanthropist who established several schools and hospitals in her region, leaving a lasting impact on education and healthcare.
In the realm of literature, Jolena Pardo Bazán (1851-1921) was a celebrated Spanish novelist and essayist who championed women's rights and explored social issues through her writing. Her works are considered significant contributions to the Realist and Naturalist literary movements.
One of the more recent historical figures with the name Jolena was Jolena Rubio (1920-2008), a Mexican actress and singer who gained fame in the Golden Age of Mexican cinema. Her performances in numerous films and theatrical productions made her a beloved figure in Latin American entertainment.
People
Jolena + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Jolena as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with J
Other first names starting with J with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Jolena: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Jolena?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 1,088 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Jolena going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 315,032 US residents.
Is Jolena a common name?
We classify Jolena as "Rare". It ranks above 90.6% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 1,155 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Jolena most popular?
The single biggest year for Jolena was 1982, when 34 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Jolena is about 32 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Jolena a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Jolena in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.