Rena

Rena is a British surname of Old Norse origin. The name is derived from the Old Norse personal name Hreinn, which means "clean" or "pure". It is believed to have been introduced to Britain during the Viking Age when Norse invaders settled in the region.

Distribution

The surname Rena is relatively rare in Britain, with most occurrences found in regions historically associated with Norse settlements, such as parts of Scotland, Northern England, and East Anglia.

Notable Bearers

  • Elsie Rena: a famous British actress from the early 20th century known for her work in silent films.
  • Eric Rena: a renowned British author and historian specialising in Norse mythology and Viking history.

Variants

Variants of the surname Rena include Rayna, Reina, and Reine.

References

  • Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M. A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991.
  • Redmonds, George. Surnames and Genealogy: A New Approach. London: UCL Press, 2002.

There are approximately 44 people named Rena in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around one in a million people in Britain are named Rena.

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Dowling
  • Nicholas
  • Oliver

Female

  • Rachael
  • Sofia

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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