<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><edgarSubmission xmlns="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/ownership" xmlns:ns2="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/common">
    <headerData>
        <submissionType>144</submissionType>
        <filerInfo>
            <filer>
                <filerCredentials>
                    <cik>0001444157</cik>
                    <ccc>XXXXXXXX</ccc>
                </filerCredentials>
            </filer>
            <liveTestFlag>LIVE</liveTestFlag>



        </filerInfo>
    </headerData>
    <formData>
        <issuerInfo>
            <issuerCik>0000936395</issuerCik>
            <issuerName>CIENA CORPORATION</issuerName>
            <secFileNumber>001-36250</secFileNumber>
            <issuerAddress>
                <ns2:street1>7035 RIDGE ROAD</ns2:street1>
                <ns2:city>HANOVER</ns2:city>
                <ns2:stateOrCountry>MD</ns2:stateOrCountry>
                <ns2:zipCode>21076</ns2:zipCode>
            </issuerAddress>
            <issuerContactPhone>(410) 694-5700</issuerContactPhone>
            <nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>DAVID ROTHENSTEIN</nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>
            <relationshipsToIssuer>
                <relationshipToIssuer>Officer</relationshipToIssuer>
            </relationshipsToIssuer>
        </issuerInfo>
        <securitiesInformation>
            <securitiesClassTitle>Common</securitiesClassTitle>
            <brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
                <name>E*TRADE FINANCIAL CORPORATION</name>
                <address>
                    <ns2:street1>3 EDISON DRIVE</ns2:street1>
                    <ns2:city>ALPHARETTA</ns2:city>
                    <ns2:stateOrCountry>GA</ns2:stateOrCountry>
                    <ns2:zipCode>30005</ns2:zipCode>
                </address>
            </brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
            <noOfUnitsSold>3500</noOfUnitsSold>
            <aggregateMarketValue>154315.00</aggregateMarketValue>
            <noOfUnitsOutstanding>149498607</noOfUnitsOutstanding>
            <approxSaleDate>06/15/2023</approxSaleDate>
            <securitiesExchangeName>NYSE</securitiesExchangeName>
        </securitiesInformation>
        <securitiesToBeSold>
            <securitiesClassTitle>COMMON</securitiesClassTitle>
            <acquiredDate>12/20/2015</acquiredDate>
            <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>Performance Shares</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
            <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>ISSUER</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
            <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
            <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>3500</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
            <paymentDate>12/20/2015</paymentDate>
            <natureOfPayment>Not Applicable</natureOfPayment>
        </securitiesToBeSold>
        <nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>N</nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>
        <securitiesSoldInPast3Months>
            <sellerDetails>
                <name>DAVID ROTHENSTEIN</name>
                <address>
                    <ns2:street1>7035 RIDGE ROAD</ns2:street1>
                    <ns2:city>HANOVER</ns2:city>
                    <ns2:stateOrCountry>MD</ns2:stateOrCountry>
                    <ns2:zipCode>21076</ns2:zipCode>
                </address>
            </sellerDetails>
            <securitiesClassTitle>Common</securitiesClassTitle>
            <saleDate>05/15/2023</saleDate>
            <amountOfSecuritiesSold>3500</amountOfSecuritiesSold>
            <grossProceeds>152250.00</grossProceeds>
        </securitiesSoldInPast3Months>
        <securitiesSoldInPast3Months>
            <sellerDetails>
                <name>DAVID ROTHENSTEIN</name>
                <address>
                    <ns2:street1>7035 RIDGE ROAD</ns2:street1>
                    <ns2:city>HANOVER</ns2:city>
                    <ns2:stateOrCountry>MD</ns2:stateOrCountry>
                    <ns2:zipCode>21076</ns2:zipCode>
                </address>
            </sellerDetails>
            <securitiesClassTitle>Common</securitiesClassTitle>
            <saleDate>04/17/2023</saleDate>
            <amountOfSecuritiesSold>3500</amountOfSecuritiesSold>
            <grossProceeds>177695.00</grossProceeds>
        </securitiesSoldInPast3Months>
        <noticeSignature>
            <noticeDate>06/15/2023</noticeDate>
            <planAdoptionDates>
                <planAdoptionDate>12/15/2022</planAdoptionDate>
            </planAdoptionDates>
            <signature>/s/ David Marc Rothenstein</signature>
        </noticeSignature>
    </formData>
</edgarSubmission>
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144
0001444157
XXXXXXXX
LIVE
0000936395
CIENA CORPORATION
001-36250
7035 RIDGE ROAD
HANOVER
MD
21076
(410) 694-5700
DAVID ROTHENSTEIN
Officer
Common
E*TRADE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
3 EDISON DRIVE
ALPHARETTA
GA
30005
3500
154315.00
149498607
06/15/2023
NYSE
COMMON
12/20/2015
Performance Shares
ISSUER
N
3500
12/20/2015
Not Applicable
N
DAVID ROTHENSTEIN
7035 RIDGE ROAD
HANOVER
MD
21076
Common
05/15/2023
3500
152250.00
DAVID ROTHENSTEIN
7035 RIDGE ROAD
HANOVER
MD
21076
Common
04/17/2023
3500
177695.00
06/15/2023
12/15/2022
/s/ David Marc Rothenstein