Selene — Meaning, Origin, Pronunciation & 2026 Popularity
TL;DR: Selene (seh-LEE-nee) is the name of the Greek goddess of the moon — and the Greek word for moon itself. Three syllables of celestial elegance, rising alongside the broader luminous + classical naming revival in 2026.
Quick facts
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | Greek (Σελήνη) |
| Meaning | "Moon" |
| Pronunciation | seh-LEE-nee (3 syllables) — sometimes seh-LEEN |
| 2024 US Rank | #279 |
| Trend | ⬆⬆ Climbing rapidly (vampire/werewolf fiction + classical revival) |
| Length | 6 letters, 3 syllables |
The story behind the name
Selene (Σελήνη) was the Greek goddess of the moon — daughter of the Titans Hyperion and Theia, sister of Helios (the sun) and Eos (the dawn). She drove her silver chariot across the night sky each evening.
The most famous mythological story: Selene fell in love with the beautiful mortal shepherd Endymion. Unable to bear his eventual death, she put him into eternal sleep so he would never age — and visited him each night in the cave where he slumbered.
Other notable Selenes:
- Selene (Roman: Luna) — the equivalent moon goddess in Roman tradition; Luna is the more common derivative
- Selene Galindez — Argentine singer
- Selene Kallasi — modern artists and academics
In modern times, the name's rise is heavily tied to:
- Selene Underworld — Kate Beckinsale's character in the Underworld film series (2003–2016)
- Luna becoming top-10 — driving interest in alternative moon-themed names
- Cottagecore + celestial aesthetic revival
How to pronounce Selene
Two accepted pronunciations:
- seh-LEE-nee (3 syllables) — most authentic Greek-influenced
- seh-LEEN (2 syllables) — Americanized, common in Underworld films
The 3-syllable version is more traditional; the 2-syllable version is more modern American.
Common mispronunciation: "SEL-een" (over-stresses first).
How popular is Selene?
In the US: #279 in 2024, climbing.
In Spain and Italy: Steady use.
In Mexico: Common.
Globally: ~5,000 newborns per year.
The 20-year trajectory has been steady upward, accelerating since 2018.
Pairings
Best middle names
Selene's 3-syllable flow pairs beautifully with short middle names:
- Selene Rose
- Selene Marie
- Selene Jane
- Selene Joy
- Selene Faye ("fairy")
Best surname pairings
- Greek surnames: Papadopoulos, Karras, Antoniou
- Italian surnames: Russo, Bianchi, Romano
- Spanish surnames: García, Rodríguez
- Short Anglo surnames work beautifully
Sibling names
Classical-coded siblings: Aurora, Helena, Theodora, Cassia, Octavia, Cordelia.
Celestial-coded siblings: Aurora, Luna, Stella, Soraya.
Mixed: Selene + Theo, Selene + Lorenzo.
Famous bearers
- Selene — the Greek goddess of the moon (mythological)
- Selene (Underworld) — Kate Beckinsale's iconic vampire character
- Selene Tobon — Argentine athlete
- The name appears extensively in modern romantasy and supernatural fiction
Selene in pop culture
- Underworld film series (2003–2016) — Kate Beckinsale's vampire warrior; major driver of US name recognition
- Sailor Moon — the Japanese anime's English title hints at the Greek/Latin moon goddess tradition
- Greek mythology adaptations in YA fiction
- Many romantasy novels use Selene as a powerful female character
Frequently asked questions
How is Selene different from Luna?
Both mean "moon":
- Selene — Greek goddess, more elegant/classical, less common
- Luna — Latin word, currently top 10 in the US, more common
Both beautiful. Selene is slightly rarer and reads more vintage-classical.
Should I pick the 2-syllable or 3-syllable pronunciation?
Family preference rules. The 3-syllable (seh-LEE-nee) is more historically accurate; the 2-syllable (seh-LEEN) is more contemporary American.
Are there nicknames?
Lena (LAY-nah or LEE-nah) is the most common. Selie (SEL-ee) is occasional. Sel is rare.
Will my daughter face Underworld-related teasing?
The film association is largely positive — Selene in Underworld is a powerful, capable protagonist. Modern Selenes don't get teased about it.
Names similar to Selene
| Name | Origin | Why it's similar |
|---|---|---|
| Luna | Latin | Same "moon" meaning, different language |
| Stella | Latin | "Star"; celestial sister name |
| Aurora | Latin | Same celestial classical revival |
| Soraya | Persian | Celestial (Pleiades) parallel |
| Helena | Greek | Same Greek classical lineage |
| Cordelia | Welsh | Same 3-syllable vintage feel |
Considering Selene for your baby?
Selene works beautifully for families with:
- Greek, Mediterranean, or broader European heritage
- A love of celestial / moon-themed names
- A preference for classical mythology
- Connection to romantasy or supernatural fiction tradition
Our AI naming tool can suggest 10 personalized celestial + Greek classical names →.
Related names
- Aurelia — meaning, origin, popularity
- Helena — meaning, origin, popularity
- Theodora — meaning, origin, popularity
- Soraya — meaning, origin, popularity
Last updated: May 2026. Generated and curated by Fablely.
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