Selena

Selena is a Latinized form of Selene, the Greek name meaning "moon." The name comes from the Greek goddess Selene, a Titan associated with the moon, who was sometimes identified with Artemis, the goddess of the moon and hunting. The root Selene itself is derived from the Greek word selas meaning "light" or "brightness," reflecting the moon's luminous quality.

Notable Bearers

Selena is most famously associated with the Mexican-American singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez (1971–1995), known simply as Selena. She was a pioneering artist in Tejano music, a male-dominated genre at the time, and earned the nickname "Queen of Tejano Music." Her tragic murder at age 23 catapulted her to iconic status, and her posthumous album Dreaming of You achieved multi-platinum sales. Another prominent bearer is American actress and singer Selena Gomez (born 1992), whose work in music and film has made the name internationally recognized among younger generations.

Variants and Cultural Adaptations

Across languages, the name appears in forms such as Selina (English), Sélène (French), and Selini (Greek). These variants all trace back to the Greek lunar deity, though Selina also functions as a variant of Celina, itself from the Roman name Caelina or related to the Latin caelum meaning "heaven."

Cultural Significance

The moon goddess imagery gives Selena a timeless, celestial quality, often evoking femininity and beauty. The name gained widespread popularity in English-speaking countries throughout the 1990s due to the fame of Selena Quintanilla, and continues to be in common use. In Spanish-speaking communities, the name carries strong cultural pride connected to the singer's legacy.

• Meaning: Latinized form of Selene, meaning "moon"
• Origin: Greek, via Latin
• Type: First name, female
• Usage regions: English, Spanish, Greek