Kena
Meaning of Kena
The unisex name Kena, pronounced KEE-nah (/'kiː.nə/), presents an intriguing onomastic profile that seamlessly bridges diverse linguistic landscapes. In Latin American contexts, it often functions as a diminutive derivative of Catalina, yet its morphological simplicity also echoes the Quechua term for the Andean flute—the kena—a slender, breath-activated instrument whose evocative timbre conjures dawn-lit serranías and ancestral songs borne aloft by highland breezes. This dual etymology bestows upon the name both a scholarly resonance and a poetic lyricism, as its syllables carry the weight of heritage while remaining strikingly modern. Recorded sporadically in U.S. birth registries since the late 1940s, Kena has maintained a modest but enduring presence—annual registrations have fluctuated between fewer than ten and roughly forty-five newborns, with popularity rankings oscillating within the 700–900 bracket; by 2024, nineteen infants were named Kena, securing its position at rank 931. Phonetically streamlined and inherently gender-neutral, Kena appeals to parents in search of a name that is at once intellectually robust and suffused with cultural warmth, whispering tales of tradition even as it charts a fresh, contemporary course.
Pronunciation
English
- Pronunced as KEE-nah (/'kiː.nə/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Kena
| Kena Lorenzini - |
| Kena Mphonda - |
