Find out how popular the first name Morena has been for the last 44 years (from 1977 to 2020) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Morena by gender

Based on the last 44 years of data, Morena is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2020, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Morena.

The history of the first name Morena

The name Morena has its origins in the Spanish language, deriving from the word "moreno" which means "dark-skinned" or "tanned." This name was likely used to describe individuals with olive or darker complexions, particularly those of Spanish or Latin American descent.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Morena can be found in the 16th century Spanish novel "La Celestina" by Fernando de Rojas, where a character named Morena is mentioned. This suggests that the name was in use during the Renaissance period in Spain.

In the realm of religious texts, the name Morena does not appear to have any significant references. However, it may have been used as a descriptive term or nickname for individuals within certain Catholic or Christian communities in Spanish-speaking regions.

One of the earliest notable figures to bear the name Morena was Morena Escardo y Baylina (1827-1918), a Spanish feminist and writer who advocated for women's rights and education. She founded the first secular school for girls in Spain and played a pivotal role in the early feminist movement in her country.

Another historical figure with the name Morena was Morena Torroba (1888-1964), a Spanish composer and pianist known for her contributions to the zarzuela genre, a traditional Spanish operetta form. She composed several popular zarzuelas and worked to preserve and promote this art form during her lifetime.

In the realm of literature, the Brazilian writer Morena Brizola (1911-2002) was a notable figure. She was known for her novels and short stories that explored themes of social injustice and the experiences of marginalized communities in Brazil.

The name Morena also has connections to the world of art. Morena Alcibar (1920-2008) was a Panamanian painter and sculptor whose works were heavily influenced by her indigenous heritage and the vibrant colors of her native Panama.

In more recent times, the name Morena has been used by several public figures, including Morena Baccarin, an American actress known for her roles in television shows such as "Firefly" and "Homeland." However, to maintain the focus on historical figures, this response does not delve into contemporary individuals.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!