Bena
A girl's name of Hebrew origin with 635 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A taxonomic genus within the family Nolidae – certain moths.
Bena is a girl's baby name found across multiple cultures. In Hebrew, it relates to bina, meaning 'understanding' or 'wisdom.' It also appears as a diminutive of Sabena or Serena in various European traditions.
Bena has a quiet, almost ancient simplicity — two syllables, clean consonants, a name that sits comfortably in any era. It was used modestly in the United States in the early to mid-20th century, with a gentle old-fashioned quality that feels ready for revival.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Bena is a girl's name with over a century of recorded use (1880–2023). Its Hebrew roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
Though no longer in the top 1,000, Bena’s 635 recorded births mean it has left a mark. Every name carries the accumulated identity of the people who have worn it — and Bena has decades of that history.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Bena has 92+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1880.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 20 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 38 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 33 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 23 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 36 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 45 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 28 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 35 | — |
| 1940s | 38 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 51 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 86 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 83 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 46 | — |
| 1890s | 49 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 24 | — |
The Story of Bena
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1918, Bena is a name steeped in history. Girls named Bena are most likely born between 1908 and 1928.
How rare is Bena?
With 635 total births on record, Bena remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1880, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 86 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Bena by the numbers
- Would fill 13 school buses
- Meeting one Bena per day would take 1.7 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(92 years, 1880–2023)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 10 | #9712 |
| 2022 | 5 | #15670 |
| 2020 | 5 | #15487 |
| 2019 | 8 | #11528 |
| 2018 | 7 | #12695 |
| 2015 | 6 | #14790 |
| 2014 | 5 | #16966 |
| 2012 | 7 | #13724 |
| 2010 | 5 | #17429 |
| 2009 | 7 | #13920 |
| 2007 | 6 | #15781 |
| 2006 | 7 | #13801 |
| 2003 | 7 | #12603 |
| 2000 | 6 | #13387 |
| 1998 | 6 | #12652 |
| 1993 | 5 | #13693 |
| 1992 | 5 | #13521 |
| 1990 | 7 | #10318 |
| 1988 | 8 | #8473 |
| 1986 | 5 | #11076 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bena a boy's or girl's name?
When was Bena most popular?
How popular is the name Bena?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1880–2023