Selena is a beautiful and unique name of Latin origin, derived from the Greek goddess Selene, who was the personification of the moon. In Greek mythology, Selene was said to ride across the sky in a horse-drawn chariot, casting her silvery light upon the earth below.
The name Selena has gained popularity over the centuries and has been used by various cultures around the world. In Spanish-speaking countries, it is often associated with the Virgin of Guadalupe, also known as La Virgen de Guadalupe, who is believed to have appeared to Juan Diego in Mexico in 1531. She is often depicted wearing a blue dress and a mantle covered in stars, symbolizing her connection to the night sky and the moon.
In recent years, the name Selena has become even more popular due to famous individuals bearing this name, such as Selena Gomez, a successful American actress and singer, and Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, also known as "Selena," a renowned Mexican-American Tejano singer who was tragically murdered in 1995.
Despite its popularity, the name Selena remains unique and distinctive. Its meaning, associated with the moon and the night sky, gives it an air of mystery and enchantment. Whether you're drawn to its Latin origins, its connection to Greek mythology, or simply appreciate its sound and style, Selena is a wonderful choice for a girl's name that stands out from the crowd.
The statistics regarding the name Selena in the United States show a relatively consistent pattern of usage over time. From 1995 to 2004, there were a total of 57 babies named Selena born each year.
Interestingly, the popularity of this name seems to have peaked in 1995 with 15 births that year. This is significantly higher than any other year during this time period. However, after this initial peak, the number of births dropped drastically to just 5 in 1996.
From 1997 onwards, the number of births remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 5 and 9 each year until reaching another small peak at 6 births in both 2000 and 2001. After this brief uptick, the number of births dropped back down to 5 in 2002 before rising again to 6 in 2004.
Overall, these statistics indicate that while Selena was relatively popular during this time period, its usage was by no means widespread. With only 57 babies named Selena born over the course of a decade, it appears that parents opted for more common names or chose unique alternatives instead. However, the fact that there were multiple years with peaks in births suggests that there may be something distinct about this name that resonated with some families during these specific years.