Shena
A feminine English name meaning "Wanderer" from the Gaelic.
Name Census estimates that about 2,157 living Americans carry the first name Shena. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Shena today is around 46 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Shena births was 1984 (198 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Shena. 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
2.2K
~ 1 in 158,903 Americans
Peak year
1984
198 babies that year
Average age
46
years old
2018 SSA rank
#15,392
Tracked since 1952
Popularity
Shena: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Shena from the 1950s through to the 2010s, spanning 7 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1980s, with 1,139 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1980s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Shena 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 Shena during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Shenas live
The SSA's state-level files cover 25 states and territories. California, Florida, New York recorded the most babies named Shena, while Washington, Maryland, New Jersey recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 33 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Shena
The name Shena is believed to have originated from the Sanskrit language, with roots tracing back to ancient India. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "shena," which means "army" or "military force." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with warriors, soldiers, or individuals of military prowess.
In ancient Hindu texts and scriptures, such as the Puranas and the Mahabharata, there are references to characters bearing names similar to Shena. One notable mention is Shenaka, a sage and teacher in the Mahabharata epic. Additionally, the name Shena appears in various regional variations across South Asia, indicating its widespread use and adaptation.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Shena can be traced back to the 6th century CE, where it was found inscribed on ancient temples and monuments in parts of India. During this time period, the name gained popularity among the ruling warrior clans and noble families, reflecting its association with strength and valor.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Shena. One such figure was Shena Kashmiri (1268-1339), a renowned poet and scholar from the Kashmir region, known for his contributions to Persian literature. Another prominent figure was Shena Shah (1514-1572), a military commander and ruler of the Sultanate of Bengal, who played a significant role in the region's history during the 16th century.
In the realm of literature, Shena Gupta (1908-1991) was a celebrated Bengali novelist and playwright, renowned for her works exploring social issues and women's experiences. Shena Sahib (1885-1958), on the other hand, was a renowned Indian classical vocalist and musician, who made significant contributions to the field of Hindustani music.
Lastly, Shena Digby (1929-2011) was a British writer and historian, known for her extensive research and publications on the history of ancient India and the Indus Valley Civilization.
These examples illustrate the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of individuals who have carried the name Shena throughout history, spanning various fields such as literature, music, military, and academia.
People
Shena + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Shena as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with S
Other first names starting with S with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Shena: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Shena?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 2,157 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Shena 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 158,903 US residents.
Is Shena a common name?
We classify Shena as "Rare". It ranks above 94% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 2,356 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Shena most popular?
The single biggest year for Shena was 1984, when 198 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Shena is about 46 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Shena a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Shena 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.