Carried by a Middle-European heritage and a touch of French modernity, this first name is attracting a growing number of young parents. Behind its sweet sounds lies a rich history, imbued with culture and meaning. Let’s discover its origins, its meaning and the personality it evokes, in homage to a major figure of intellectual resistance.
An identity forged between two cultures
With 4,300 people wearing it in France in 2025, the female first name Miléna is firmly in the TOP 400 of French attributions. Born from the contraction of Marie and Hélène, or considered as the feminine variant of Milan, it has its roots in a double tradition. If its presence in France remains relatively confidential compared to the names in the Top 100, its constant progression testifies to a growing interest in first names with international sounds and an assertive character.
Beyond French borders, this first name is much more popular in Slavic countries, Armenia, Macedonia and Italy, where it is an integral part of the cultural heritage. This European dimension gives those who wear it a natural openness to the world, a bridge between the East and West of the continent. We also find its spelling variant Myléna, slightly more widespread in certain French-speaking regions.
A first name with strong values
According to The Official Namesthe characterology associated with this first name reveals particularly marked personality traits: decision, open-mindedness, humanity, dreams and rectitude. These qualities paint the portrait of women with a strong sense of justice, capable of making firm decisions while remaining deeply connected to others and their ideals. This combination of pragmatism and idealism makes it a balanced first name, combining strength of character and sensitivity.
People who bear this first name celebrate their feast day on August 15 or 18, a summer period which evokes light and warmth, in perfect harmony with the generous and radiant temperament attributed to them.
The legacy of a figure of resistance
It is impossible to mention this first name without mentioning its illustrious representative, the journalist and activist Milena Jesenská, intellectual voice of pre-war Mitteleuropa. A woman of letters and conviction, she was the confidante of Franz Kafka, with whom she maintained one of the most beautiful romantic correspondences in 20th century literature. The Prague writer described her as a “living fire”, a phrase which alone sums up the intensity and passion which animated this exceptional woman.
Her political commitment and her insubordination in the face of totalitarianism led her to the Ravensbrück concentration camp, where her journey tragically ended in 1944. If her journalistic and literary work remained unknown to the general public for a long time, gradually rediscovered by historians, her first name continues to resonate. It now embodies the memory of an intellectual resistance fighter, of a woman who refused to give in to oppression, and whose courage still inspires new generations who wear it today.