Find out how popular the first name Kalena has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kalena by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Kalena is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 59 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Kalena.

The history of the first name Kalena

The name Kalena has its origins in the Hawaiian language and culture. It is a female given name that can be traced back to the ancient Polynesian people who settled in the Hawaiian Islands. The name is derived from the Hawaiian words "ka" meaning "the" and "lena" meaning "bright" or "glowing." Thus, the name Kalena is often interpreted as "the bright one" or "the glowing one."

In Hawaiian mythology and folklore, Kalena was the name of a beautiful woman who was said to be the embodiment of the sun's radiant light. According to legends, she was revered for her beauty and was associated with the warmth and life-giving qualities of the sun. The name Kalena was often given to girls as a way to honor this mythological figure and to imbue them with the characteristics of brightness and radiance.

The earliest recorded use of the name Kalena can be traced back to the late 18th century, when European explorers and missionaries began documenting the Hawaiian language and culture. In historical records from this time, the name appears in various spellings such as "Kalena," "Kalaina," and "Kaleina."

One of the earliest known individuals with the name Kalena was Kalena Puahi, a Hawaiian chieftess who lived in the late 18th century. She was known for her leadership and her role in preserving Hawaiian traditions and customs during a time of great change and upheaval.

Another notable figure with the name Kalena was Kalena Silva, a Hawaiian activist and educator who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She was a prominent advocate for the preservation of Hawaiian language and culture and played a significant role in the establishment of Hawaiian language schools.

In the 20th century, Kalena Moses was a renowned Hawaiian singer and musician who helped popularize traditional Hawaiian music. She was born in 1908 and performed extensively throughout her life, helping to keep the rich musical traditions of Hawaii alive.

Kalena Burgess, born in 1964, is a contemporary Hawaiian artist and educator who has gained recognition for her paintings and sculptures that celebrate Hawaiian culture and traditions. Her work has been featured in numerous exhibitions and art collections.

Kalena Masching, born in 1980, is a Hawaiian hula dancer and teacher who has dedicated her life to perpetuating the art of hula. She is known for her expertise in traditional hula styles and has taught and performed around the world.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Kalena was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Kalena, please contact us.

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