Seleni first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Seleni has been for the last 31 years (from 1993 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Seleni

Of Greek origin, meaning "moon" or "moon goddess".

Popularity of Seleni by gender

Based on the last 31 years of data, Seleni is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 10 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Seleni.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 10
2021 0 7
2020 0 8
2019 0 10
2018 0 10
2017 0 26
2016 0 28
2008 0 5
2007 0 9
1999 0 5
1996 0 8
1994 0 6
1993 0 8

The history of the first name Seleni

The name Seleni has its origins in the ancient Greek language and culture, dating back to the 5th century BC. It is derived from the word "selene," which means "moon" in Greek. The name was likely inspired by the goddess of the moon, Selene, who was a prominent figure in Greek mythology.

In Greek mythology, Selene was the personification of the moon and was often depicted as a beautiful woman riding a chariot across the night sky. She was the daughter of the Titans Hyperion and Theia and was closely associated with the cycle of the moon and its influence on the tides and the natural world.

One of the earliest known references to the name Seleni can be found in the works of the ancient Greek poet Sappho, who lived on the island of Lesbos around 600 BC. Sappho's poetry often invoked the goddess Selene and celebrated the beauty and power of the moon.

In the 4th century BC, the Greek philosopher Plato wrote about Selene in his work "Timaeus," describing her as one of the celestial deities that governed the universe. This further solidified the name's association with the moon and its celestial significance in ancient Greek culture.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Seleni. One of the earliest recorded examples is Seleni of Syracuse, a Greek philosopher and mathematician who lived in the 5th century BC. She is credited with contributing to the development of the Pythagorean theorem and is considered one of the first female mathematicians in recorded history.

Another famous Seleni was Seleni of Cyzicus, a Greek physician who lived in the 2nd century AD. She was renowned for her expertise in gynecology and obstetrics and is believed to have written several treatises on women's health and childbirth.

In the Middle Ages, there was Seleni of Constantinople, a Byzantine scholar and translator who lived in the 9th century AD. She was known for her translations of Greek philosophical and scientific texts into Arabic, which helped to preserve and disseminate ancient Greek knowledge throughout the Muslim world.

During the Renaissance, Seleni Piccolomini was an Italian noblewoman and patron of the arts who lived in the 15th century. She was a prominent figure in the cultural and intellectual circles of Florence and was known for her support of artists and scholars.

In the 19th century, Seleni Kokkinou was a Greek poet and educator who played a significant role in the Greek War of Independence. Her patriotic poems and writings helped to inspire and rally the Greek people against Ottoman rule.

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

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

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"Seleni first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 26, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/seleni-meaning-and-history/.

"Seleni first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/seleni-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 26 June, 2025

Seleni first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/seleni-meaning-and-history/.

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