Find out how popular the first name Mena has been for the last 50 years (from 1975 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Mena by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Mena is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 87% of people named Mena being female.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 21 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Mena.

The history of the first name Mena

The name Mena has its origins in ancient Egypt, where it was derived from the Egyptian word "mn", meaning "established" or "enduring". It was a popular name among the pharaohs and nobility of ancient Egypt, reflecting the desire for longevity and stability.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mena is from the First Dynasty of Egypt, around 3100 BCE. Mena, also known as Narmer, was the first pharaoh to unite Upper and Lower Egypt, ushering in a period of political and cultural advancement. His name is mentioned in the Palermo Stone, an ancient Egyptian historical record, and his achievements are immortalized in various archaeological findings.

In ancient Egyptian mythology, Mena was also the name of a minor deity associated with fertility and regeneration. The name appears in some religious texts and inscriptions, reflecting its cultural significance.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Mena. One of the most famous was Menes (c. 3100 BCE), the legendary first pharaoh of a unified Egypt, who is believed to have founded the city of Memphis. Another notable figure was Menander (342-292 BCE), a Greek dramatist from Athens who was celebrated for his witty and insightful comedies.

In the realm of literature, Mena is the name of a character in the ancient Greek novel "An Ephesian Tale" by Xenophon of Ephesus (c. 2nd-3rd century CE). This work is considered one of the earliest examples of the novel genre in Western literature.

Moving forward in time, Mena Sardo (1489-1559) was an Italian mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the development of Renaissance mathematics. He is particularly renowned for his work on algebraic equations and his efforts to popularize the use of symbolic notation in mathematics.

Additionally, Mena Massoud (born 1991) is a contemporary Egyptian-Canadian actor, best known for his portrayal of Aladdin in the 2019 live-action film of the same name. His portrayal of the iconic character has brought renewed attention to the name Mena in modern times.

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 Mena was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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