Relena
A feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly derived from the Latin "renatus" meaning "reborn".
Name Census estimates that about 104 living Americans carry the first name Relena. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Relena today is around 14 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Relena births was 2021 (13 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Relena. 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
104
~ 1 in 3,295,715 Americans
Peak year
2021
13 babies that year
Average age
14
years old
2024 SSA rank
#17,100
Tracked since 1969
Popularity
Relena: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Relena from the 1960s through to the 2020s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 43 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Relena remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Relena 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 Relena during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Relena
The name Relena has its origins in the Late Latin word "relena," which means "to rekindle" or "to reignite." It is believed to have emerged during the 5th century CE, when the Western Roman Empire was in its twilight years. The name's roots can be traced back to the Latin verb "relucere," meaning "to shine again" or "to glow anew."
Relena's linguistic roots suggest a connection to the concept of rebirth, renewal, and the rekindling of hope or spirit. It was likely used as a symbolic name during a time of great turmoil and upheaval, serving as a reminder of the resilience and perseverance of the human spirit.
The earliest recorded instance of the name Relena is found in a 6th-century manuscript from the Monastery of St. Gall in modern-day Switzerland. This manuscript documents the life and deeds of a nun named Relena, who was revered for her unwavering faith and acts of compassion during a time of great hardship.
Throughout the Middle Ages, the name Relena appeared sporadically in various historical records, often associated with individuals who played a role in religious or cultural movements. One notable figure was Relena of Bruges, a 12th-century Flemish poet and philosopher who advocated for the rights of women and the pursuit of knowledge.
In the 15th century, Relena Spinola, a Genoese noblewoman, gained recognition for her influential role in the political affairs of the Republic of Genoa. Her diplomatic skills and strategic acumen helped navigate the city-state through a tumultuous period of conflict and upheaval.
During the Renaissance, the name Relena experienced a resurgence in popularity, particularly among the Italian nobility. Relena Medici, born in 1488, was a member of the powerful Medici family and a patron of the arts. Her support for artists and intellectuals contributed significantly to the cultural renaissance of Florence.
In the 17th century, Relena de la Vega, a Spanish playwright and poet, gained acclaim for her works that explored themes of love, honor, and societal norms. Her plays were widely performed and celebrated for their depth and insight into the human condition.
While the name Relena has waxed and waned in popularity over the centuries, its symbolic resonance with renewal and perseverance has endured. Throughout history, it has been borne by individuals who have left an indelible mark on their respective fields, serving as a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit.
People
Relena + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Relena as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with R
Other first names starting with R with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Relena: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Relena?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 104 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Relena 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 3,295,715 US residents.
Is Relena a common name?
We classify Relena as "Very Rare". It ranks above 65.1% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 106 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Relena most popular?
The single biggest year for Relena was 2021, when 13 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Relena is about 14 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Relena a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Relena 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.