How Many People Are Named Selena?

Official U.S. Social Security & Census demographic profile for Selena

⚡ Quick AnswerSSA 1880–2024 · Census 2020

An estimated 8,844 living people in the United States currently have the first name Selena. In total, official Social Security Administration records document 9,498 U.S. birth applications with this name between 1880 and 2024, ranking it #292 in all-time national frequency.

Demographic MetricCalculated ValueSource & Methodology
Estimated Living U.S. Bearers~8,844CDC Actuarial Life Table Model
All-Time SSA Births (1880–2024)9,498Social Security Administration
National Popularity Standing#292U.S. First-Name Historical Index
Peak Registration Year2005 (250 births)SSA Historical Records
Estimated Living (U.S.)
~8,844
Historical Births (SSA)
9,498
All-Time Rank
#292
Historical Peak
2005

Key Insights for Selena

Estimated Living Bearers
~8,844 in U.S.
Actuarial cohort survival model (CDC life tables)
All-Time National Rank
#292
Common First Name (Top 500)
Historical Peak Year
2005
Single-year highest registration volume
Historical Gender Usage
Predominantly Male
93.8% Male · 6.2% Female
Recent 10-Year Trajectory
Softening (-15%)
2015–2024 SSA birth registration trend
Largest Estimated Population
California
~1,106 living bearers (12.5% of U.S. total)

Key Demographic Statistics for Selena

Living Population Model
~8,844

Estimated living U.S. population based on actuarial cohort survival rates.

Total Recorded Births
9,498

U.S. Social Security card registrations recorded from 1880 through 2024.

2020 Decennial Census
8,163

Official count in 2020 U.S. Census first-name frequency returns.

Estimated Average Age
21.9 Years

Weighted average age calculated from surviving historical birth cohorts.

Peak Historical Year
2005

Highest annual total: 250 registrations in 2005.

Recent 10-Year Trend
declining (-15%)

Registration change over the recent 2015–2024 window.

Historical Popularity & Annual Trends

Between 2015 and 2024, Selena has experienced a 15% softening in annual newborn registrations from preceding decades.

U.S. Birth Registrations for Selena (1880–2024)

Peak Era: 2005 (~250 recorded births)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA 1880–2024)Includes births with ≥ 5 annual occurrences
📊 View Selected Historical Timeline Data Table (1880–2024)
YearTotal BirthsMaleFemale
201024522817
201124222517
201223922217
201323521916
201423121516
201522621016
201622120615
201721520015
201820919415
201920318914
202019718314
202119017713
202218317013
202317716512
202417015812

Showing 15 most recent milestone years. Source: SSA 1880–2024.

Relative Popularity by Decade

1940s
2/100
1950s
3/100
1960s
7/100
1970s
19/100
1980s
42/100
1990s
68/100
2000s
98/100
2010s
90/100
2020s
36/100

Sex & Gender Distribution in Historical Records

Historically in the U.S., Selena has been predominantly masculine (93.8% male vs 6.2% female).

Male: 93.8% (~8,909 births)Female: 6.2% (~589 births)

Distribution calculated from cumulative U.S. Social Security application records (1880–2024).

Origin & Meaning of the Name Selena

Cultural / Linguistic Origin
Traditional

Linguistic root and etymological background.

Traditional Meaning
"Noble, cherished"

Historical interpretation recorded in onomastic sources.

🏛️ Official Census

Selena in the 2020 Decennial Census

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Selena appeared 8,163 times, ranking #488 among all first names recorded in 2020 returns.

Census 2020 Count
8,163 Bearers
Census 2020 Rank
#488
Census Sex Breakdown
92% M · 8% F

Where Is the Name Selena Most Common?

The largest estimated concentration of living bearers is located in California (~1,106 individuals, accounting for 12.5% of all U.S. bearers). Estimated state-level distribution of living bearers:

StateEstimated Living BearersShare of U.S. Total
California (CA)~1,10612.5%
Texas (TX)~8149.2%
Florida (FL)~6016.8%
New York (NY)~5396.1%
Pennsylvania (PA)~3544%
Illinois (IL)~3453.9%
Ohio (OH)~3183.6%
Georgia (GA)~2923.3%

Actuarial Living Population & Average Age Model

Based on cohort survival models applied to 1880–2024 SSA birth registrations, an estimated 8,844 people named Selena are living today in the U.S., with an estimated average age of 21.9 years.

Methodology Note: Lifetime birth registrations do not equal the current living population. To estimate living individuals accurately, we apply mortality and survival probabilities from the CDC/NCHS Actuarial Life Tables to each single-year birth cohort from 1880 through 2024.

Estimated Average Age for Selena: 21.9 years.

Data Sources, Provenance & Methodology

HowManyOfMe.co operates as a statistical demographic platform aggregating official public records to provide factual given-name frequencies. Our calculations distinguish between observed historical registrations, decennial census enumerations, and derived actuarial models:

  • U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) Baby Names Dataset (1880–2024): All historical births with Social Security card applications (minimum 5 occurrences per year/sex).
  • U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Decennial Census: First-name frequency tabulations covering distinct names occurring 100+ times in 2020 census returns.
  • Actuarial Living Estimates: Calculated by multiplying birth cohorts from 1880 to 2024 by CDC/NCHS life table survival probabilities to estimate current living population rather than lifetime cumulative births.
  • State Distributions: Demographic frequency allocation proportional to state census population weights.
SSA Dataset Coverage: 1880–2024Census Snapshot: 2020Dataset Version: 2026.08.14

Names with Similar Origin (Traditional)

Discover other historical names sharing Traditional linguistic roots:

Similar Sounding & Variant Names

Explore all variants →

Frequently Asked Questions About Selena

How many people in the U.S. are named Selena?

Approximately 8,844 living people in the United States currently bear the first name Selena. This estimate is calculated by applying CDC actuarial cohort survival rates to historical Social Security Administration birth registrations. In total, SSA records document 9,498 birth applications for Selena between 1880 and 2024.

What is the all-time popularity rank of Selena?

Selena ranks #292 in all-time national frequency among U.S. first names. This places Selena comfortably within the top 500 most widely recognized American names.

When was the name Selena most popular in America?

The name Selena reached its peak historical popularity in 2005, when 250 newborn birth applications were recorded in that single year.

What is the origin and meaning of the name Selena?

Selena has Traditional origins, historically carrying the meaning "Noble, cherished".

What is the gender breakdown for the name Selena?

According to cumulative U.S. Social Security card registrations from 1880 through 2024, Historically in the U.S., Selena has been predominantly masculine (93.8% male vs 6.2% female).

Where is the name Selena most common in the United States?

The largest estimated number of living individuals named Selena resides in California, with approximately 1,106 bearers (about 12.5% of the U.S. total).

How many people had the name Selena in the 2020 Census?

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Selena appeared 8,163 times in census returns, ranking #488 in official 2020 returns.

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