Larena
Spanish origin meaning "the arena" or "the sandy place".
Name Census estimates that about 562 living Americans carry the first name Larena. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Larena today is around 49 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Larena births was 1974 (21 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Larena. 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
562
~ 1 in 609,883 Americans
Peak year
1974
21 babies that year
Average age
49
years old
2024 SSA rank
#16,556
Tracked since 1905
Popularity
Larena: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Larena from the 1900s through to the 2020s, spanning 13 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1970s, with 153 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1970s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Larena 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 Larena during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Larenas live
Origin
Meaning and history of Larena
The name Larena originates from the Latin language, with roots that can be traced back to ancient Rome. Its earliest known usage dates back to the 1st century AD, and it is believed to be derived from the Latin word "larus," which means "seagull."
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Larena can be found in the writings of the Roman historian Pliny the Elder, who lived from 23 to 79 AD. In his work "Naturalis Historia," Pliny mentions a woman named Larena who was a renowned herbalist and healer.
During the Middle Ages, the name Larena was relatively uncommon, but it did appear in various historical records and texts. One notable individual bearing this name was Larena of Arles, a Benedictine nun who lived in the 6th century AD and was renowned for her wisdom and piety.
In the 12th century, a French noblewoman named Larena de Montfort played a significant role in the Albigensian Crusade, known for her bravery and leadership skills on the battlefield.
Fast forward to the Renaissance period, and we find Larena Buonarroti, the sister of the famous artist Michelangelo. Born in 1477, she was a skilled businesswoman and helped manage her brother's affairs and finances.
Another notable figure with the name Larena was Larena Sahib, a 17th-century Indian ruler and warrior who governed the princely state of Jaisalmer. She was renowned for her military prowess and her efforts to protect her kingdom from invaders.
In more recent history, we have Larena Devers, an American track and field athlete born in 1966. She won numerous medals, including gold in the 100-meter hurdles at the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games, and is considered one of the greatest hurdlers of all time.
While the name Larena has been relatively uncommon throughout history, it has been borne by individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures, each leaving their mark in various fields, from religion and leadership to arts and sports.
People
Larena + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Larena as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with L
Other first names starting with L with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Larena: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Larena?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 562 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Larena 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 609,883 US residents.
Is Larena a common name?
We classify Larena as "Very Rare". It ranks above 85.6% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 820 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Larena most popular?
The single biggest year for Larena was 1974, when 21 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Larena is about 49 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Larena a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Larena 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.