Girl Name · Greek Origin
Selene
Selene means “Light”. It is a girl's name of Greek origin, and it is rare in the United States today — outside the SSA top 1,000.
Origin and meaning: English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0). Popularity: US Social Security Administration.
Considering Selene? It is a girl name whose meaning is "Light", rooted in Greek naming tradition, and ranks in our Rare popularity tier. Phonetically it shares territory with Sloane.
Selene meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Light
Origin: Greek naming roots help connect Selene to related Greek baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Selene as S·E·L·E·N·E, with 6 letters and a girl usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Selene is an uncommon, standout choice in the Rare tier.
Selene variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Selenea, Selenee, Seleney, Selen.
- Nicknames: Sel and S.
- Middle names: Pair Selene with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Selene middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Sloane, Selena, Selina, Selwyn, Salena — full picks on the sibling names for Selene guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Selene? Browse our names like Selene guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Selene
What does the name Selene mean?
Selene means "Light" and is of Greek origin. The meaning is recorded in English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0), and in US records Selene is used as a girl name.
What is the origin of Selene?
Selene originates in Greek naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Selene?
Selene has 6 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Selene a boy's or girl's name?
Selene is primarily used as a girl's name in US records.
How popular is Selene in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Selene sits in the Rare tier — an uncommon, standout choice.
What names are similar to Selene?
Names that share Selene's sound and style include Sloane, Selena, Selina, Selwyn, Salena.
What middle names pair well with Selene?
Good middle-name fits for Selene pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Selene is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Selene is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Selene?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Selene share its rhythm without rhyming — Sloane, Selena, Selina all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.