What is Lena short for?
In old records, Lena is usually short for Helena. It can also stand for Magdalena, Selina, and Adeline, and others. You will find it in American and German-immigrant records, chiefly 1800s-1900s. The Lena-to-Helena jump is easy to miss, so it is worth searching both when you hit a dead end.
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FAQs
Does Lena always mean Helena?+
Not always. Lena most often stands for Helena, but it also appears for Magdalena, Selina, and Adeline. Confirm against the actual record before you rely on it.
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