Lana Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Lana Name Meaning

Fact: In Slavic languages, Lana is often a short form of names like Svetlana, which means “light” or “pure,” adding a layer of cultural richness to the name.

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A Deep Dive

Lana Overview

Meaning

Shining, light, blessed, little rock, calm as still waters, afloat

Gender

Girl

Origin

Germanic, Greek

Etymology

Derived from the Old Greek name “Helenē,” meaning “torch” or “light”

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈlɑːnə/

Popularity

Lana is a well-liked name in various countries, including the USA, France, and Slovenia. In the USA, it ranked 416th for girls in 2023​

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

4 letters

Numerology

1 (Pioneering, Independent, Leading)

Name Styles

Exotic, Cool, Short

Associated Traits

Elegant, timeless, graceful, refined

Name Day

September 28th (Latvia)​
A Deep Dive

Lana Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Alana, Liana, Elana, Ilana, Layna

Common Nicknames

Lani, La-La, Lan, Lala, Laney

Diminutives

Lanny, Lannie, Nani, Nan

Famous People

  • Lana Del Rey
    (American Singer)
  • Lana Turner
    (American Actress)
  • Lana Parrilla
    (American Actress)
  • Lana Condor
    (American Actress)
  • Lana Wood
    (American Actress)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Lana Lang
    ("Smallville," TV Series)
  • Lana Winters
    ("American Horror Story: Asylum," TV Series)
  • "Lana Del Rey"
    (Album)
  • Lana Beniko
    ("Star Wars: The Old Republic," Video Game)

Places

  • Lana Municipality
    (South Tyrol, Italy)
  • Lana River
    (Tirana County, Albania)

What Is the Meaning of Lana?

Lana means “light” or “floating” in Hawaiian, symbolizing a serene and calm personality. It also derives from the Old Greek name Helen, which means “bright” or “shining,” indicating a luminous and vibrant character.

What Is the Origin of The Name Lana?

Lana has multiple origins, one being Hawaiian, where it means “calm as still waters.” Additionally, it can be traced back to the Old Greek name Helen, which translates to “bright” or “shining,” showing its diverse linguistic roots.

Lana Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Lana in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#3762021#4212022#4162023
Top 3 Rankings#1881948#1891946#1951947

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Lana

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023416
(+5 from 2022)
734
(-15 from 2022)
0.04196
2022421
(-45 from 2021)
749
(-79 from 2021)
0.04177
2021376
(+16 from 2020)
828
(+35 from 2020)
0.04622
2020392
(-8 from 2019)
793
(-21 from 2019)
0.04486
2019384
(-24 from 2018)
814
(-57 from 2018)
0.04436
2018360
(+7 from 2017)
871
(+24 from 2017)
0.04684
2017367
(+24 from 2016)
847
No change from 2016
0.04483
2016391
(-36 from 2015)
847
(-75 from 2015)
0.04375
2015355
(-3 from 2014)
922
(-21 from 2014)
0.04726
2014352
(+62 from 2013)
943
(+211 from 2013)
0.04820
2013414
(+27 from 2012)
732
(+24 from 2012)
0.03797
2012441
(+46 from 2011)
708
(+100 from 2011)
0.03650
2011487
(-7 from 2010)
608
(-20 from 2010)
0.03138
2010480
(-35 from 2009)
628
(-79 from 2009)
0.03203
2009445
(-13 from 2008)
707
(-24 from 2008)
0.03491
2008432
(-27 from 2007)
731
(-82 from 2007)
0.03510
2007405
(+7 from 2006)
813
(+40 from 2006)
0.03841
2006412
(+25 from 2005)
773
(+68 from 2005)
0.03698
2005437
(+27 from 2004)
705
(+65 from 2004)
0.03474
2004464
(+35 from 2003)
640
(+67 from 2003)
0.03172
2003499
(+168 from 2002)
573
(+193 from 2002)
0.02856
2002667
(+277 from 2001)
380
(+146 from 2001)
0.01924
2001944
(+69 from 2000)
234
(+26 from 2000)
0.01181
20001013
(-17 from 1999)
208
(+2 from 1999)
0.01042
1999996
(+59 from 1998)
206
(+20 from 1998)
0.01058
19981055
(+5 from 1997)
186
(+7 from 1997)
0.00960
19971060
(-32 from 1996)
179
(-3 from 1996)
0.00938
19961028
(-114 from 1995)
182
(-24 from 1995)
0.00949
1995914
(+51 from 1994)
206
(+14 from 1994)
0.01072
1994965
(-76 from 1993)
192
(-25 from 1993)
0.00985
1993889
(-32 from 1992)
217
(-14 from 1992)
0.01101
1992857
(+2 from 1991)
231
(-2 from 1991)
0.01152
1991859
(-60 from 1990)
233
(-18 from 1990)
0.01146
1990799
(-133 from 1989)
251
(-54 from 1989)
0.01222
1989666
(-55 from 1988)
305
(-22 from 1988)
0.01531
1988611
(-11 from 1987)
327
(+2 from 1987)
0.01700
1987600
(+20 from 1986)
325
(+23 from 1986)
0.01734
1986620
(-43 from 1985)
302
(-35 from 1985)
0.01636
1985577
(-60 from 1984)
337
(-38 from 1984)
0.01825
1984517
(+28 from 1983)
375
(+31 from 1983)
0.02080
1983545
(+9 from 1982)
344
(+10 from 1982)
0.01922
1982554
(-33 from 1981)
334
(-45 from 1981)
0.01841
1981521
(-55 from 1980)
379
(-78 from 1980)
0.02119
1980466
(+23 from 1979)
457
(+40 from 1979)
0.02566
1979489
(-85 from 1978)
417
(-94 from 1978)
0.02420
1978404
(+23 from 1977)
511
(+37 from 1977)
0.03108
1977427
(+51 from 1976)
474
(+90 from 1976)
0.02881
1976478
(-35 from 1975)
384
(-61 from 1975)
0.02443
1975443
(-16 from 1974)
445
(-12 from 1974)
0.02851
1974427
(-3 from 1973)
457
(-3 from 1973)
0.02918
1973424
(-59 from 1972)
460
(-140 from 1972)
0.02960
1972365
(-13 from 1971)
600
(-107 from 1971)
0.03721
1971352
(-16 from 1970)
707
(-73 from 1970)
0.04034
1970336
(-28 from 1969)
780
(-78 from 1969)
0.04258
1969308
(+3 from 1968)
858
(+54 from 1968)
0.04867
1968311
(-31 from 1967)
804
(-114 from 1967)
0.04703
1967280
(+6 from 1966)
918
(+41 from 1966)
0.05347
1966286
(+36 from 1965)
877
(+96 from 1965)
0.04995
1965322
(-11 from 1964)
781
(-102 from 1964)
0.04274
1964311
(+19 from 1963)
883
(+66 from 1963)
0.04511
1963330
(+5 from 1962)
817
(+30 from 1962)
0.04109
1962335
(-6 from 1961)
787
(-32 from 1961)
0.03883
1961329
(+10 from 1960)
819
(+44 from 1960)
0.03943
1960339
(+15 from 1959)
775
(+51 from 1959)
0.03726
1959354
(+1 from 1958)
724
(+52 from 1958)
0.03483
1958355
(+1 from 1957)
672
(+22 from 1957)
0.03253
1957356
(-20 from 1956)
650
(-30 from 1956)
0.03098
1956336
(-28 from 1955)
680
(-90 from 1955)
0.03302
1955308
(-10 from 1954)
770
(-41 from 1954)
0.03841
1954298
(-42 from 1953)
811
(-198 from 1953)
0.04074
1953256
(-19 from 1952)
1009
(-95 from 1952)
0.05229
1952237
(-16 from 1951)
1104
(-94 from 1951)
0.05804
1951221
(-17 from 1950)
1198
(-117 from 1950)
0.06485
1950204
(+2 from 1949)
1315
(-3 from 1949)
0.07478
1949206
(-18 from 1948)
1318
(-146 from 1948)
0.07508
1948188
(+7 from 1947)
1464
(+100 from 1947)
0.08401
1947195
(-6 from 1946)
1364
(+64 from 1946)
0.07503
1946189
(+19 from 1945)
1300
(+354 from 1945)
0.08060
1945208
(+11 from 1944)
946
(+45 from 1944)
0.07028
1944219
(-11 from 1943)
901
(-98 from 1943)
0.06593
1943208
(+16 from 1942)
999
(+142 from 1942)
0.06960
1942224
(+31 from 1941)
857
(+232 from 1941)
0.06163
1941255
(+51 from 1940)
625
(+201 from 1940)
0.05016
1940306
(+421 from 1939)
424
(+337 from 1939)
0.03589
1939727
(+413 from 1938)
87
(+47 from 1938)
0.00767
19381140
(+774 from 1937)
40
(+23 from 1937)
0.00350
19371914
(+349 from 1936)
17
(+4 from 1936)
0.00154
19362263
(-168 from 1935)
13
(-2 from 1935)
0.00121
19352095
(-324 from 1934)
15
(-4 from 1934)
0.00138
19341771
(+390 from 1933)
19
(+5 from 1933)
0.00176
19332161
(+204 from 1932)
14
(+1 from 1932)
0.00134
19322365
(+216 from 1931)
13
(+2 from 1931)
0.00118
19312581
(-877 from 1930)
11
(-11 from 1930)
0.00100
19301704
(+188 from 1929)
22
(+3 from 1929)
0.00189
19291892
(+202 from 1928)
19
(+2 from 1928)
0.00164
19282094
(-475 from 1927)
17
(-9 from 1927)
0.00142
19271619
(+211 from 1926)
26
(+4 from 1926)
0.00210
19261830
(-506 from 1925)
22
(-14 from 1925)
0.00179
19251324
(+355 from 1924)
36
(+10 from 1924)
0.00285
19241679
(+103 from 1923)
26
(+3 from 1923)
0.00201
19231782
(-136 from 1922)
23
(-3 from 1922)
0.00184
19221646
(+281 from 1921)
26
(+5 from 1921)
0.00208
19211927
(+536 from 1920)
21
(+7 from 1920)
0.00164
19202463
(-474 from 1919)
14
(-4 from 1919)
0.00113
19191989
(-235 from 1918)
18
(-4 from 1918)
0.00153
19181754
(-102 from 1917)
22
No change from 1917
0.00183
19171652
(+37 from 1916)
22
(+1 from 1916)
0.00196
19161689
(+454 from 1915)
21
(+7 from 1915)
0.00193
19152143
(+291 from 1914)
14
(+5 from 1914)
0.00137
19142434
(+106 from 1913)
9
(+2 from 1913)
0.00113
19132540
(-696 from 1912)
7
(-3 from 1912)
0.00107
19121844
(-188 from 1911)
10
(+1 from 1911)
0.00170
19111656
(-135 from 1910)
9
(-1 from 1910)
0.00204
19101521
(+436 from 1909)
10
(+4 from 1909)
0.00238
19091957
(+144 from 1908)
6
(+1 from 1908)
0.00163
19082101
(-280 from 1907)
5
(-1 from 1907)
0.00141
19071821
(-405 from 1906)
6
(-2 from 1906)
0.00178
19061416
(-405 from 1905)
8
(-6 from 1905)
0.00255
19051011
(+648 from 1904)
14
(+8 from 1904)
0.00452
19041659
(-455 from 1903)
6
(-3 from 1903)
0.00205
19031204
(+116 from 1902)
9
(+1 from 1902)
0.00324
19021320
(-184 from 1901)
8
(-1 from 1901)
0.00285
19011136
(+95 from 1900)
9
(-1 from 1900)
0.00354
19001231
(+32 from 1897)
10
(+3 from 1897)
0.00315
18990
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18980
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18971263
(-264 from 1896)
7
(-4 from 1896)
0.00282
1896999
(+300 from 1895)
11
(+4 from 1895)
0.00437
18951299
(-163 from 1894)
7
(-1 from 1894)
0.00283
18941136
(-342 from 1893)
8
(-6 from 1893)
0.00339
1893794
(+114 from 1892)
14
(+3 from 1892)
0.00622
1892908
(+424 from 1891)
11
(+6 from 1891)
0.00489
18911332
(-438 from 1888)
5
(-4 from 1888)
0.00254
18900
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18890
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
1888894
(+142 from 1887)
9
(+3 from 1887)
0.00475
18871036
(-115 from 1885)
6
No change from 1885
0.00386
18860
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
1885921
First SSA data recorded
6
First SSA data recorded
0.00423
18840
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18830
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18820
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18810
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18800
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000

American States Popularity Rankings for Lana

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#2332021#2562022#2722023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#4702021#4442022#4852023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#2412021#2922022#2782023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#3772021#3002022#5042023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#5212021#6422022#4242023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#4152021#4422022#5062023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#3482021#5192022#3952023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#3442021#3592022#3122023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#2812021#4772022#3802023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#4042021#4952022#5812023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#6032021#4512022#4522023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#5032021#8082022#6652023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#5812021#7952022#5972023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#3282021#4882022#4332023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#5152021#5262022#3792023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#5372021#7712022#6712023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#6062021#3972022#5772023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#4832019#4552020#5832023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#3232021#3112022#4272023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#6242021#8172022#9132023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#4292021#3752022#5082023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#4732021#4222022#2922023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#5452021#6322022#3332023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#4812020#6342021#6662022

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#5492015#4522020#3132022

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#3212021#6632022#4312023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#2322021#4062022#3282023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#4632016#3782018#3922020

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#6282020#5022022#3972023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#3161981#2981982#3832017

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#3832021#2942022#2892023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#5572021#5802022#4942023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#4632018#3402021#4562022

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#6642020#4102021#5062022

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#8632021#4202022#5302023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1541976#1351978#2342005

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1781978#1481987#2052008

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#4132020#4252021#3552023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#2091973#1901977#2071986

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#3062020#2592021#5942022

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#1112017#1612018#1262021

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#4092020#5832021#3412022

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#4962006#3682009#4022017

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#2012013#2512016#2452017

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#2592019#1922020#2282021

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1741954#1401958#1341963

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1872007#1702010#1382011

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1422016#1952017#2042019

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1621962#1092014

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1962017

Popularity Rankings for Lana in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Croatia

Croatia flagCroatia#132021#202022#202023

Popularity in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina flagBosnia and Herzegovina#332020#412021#342022

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#572020#682021#652022

Popularity in Hungary

Hungary flagHungary#982021#862022#892023

Popularity in Latvia

Latvia flagLatvia#941980#981985

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#1212020#1562021#1422022

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#1422017#1782018#1982020

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#1712021#2182022#1512023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#1912020#1672021#1512022

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#1902021#1572022#1732023

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#1742021#1742022#1832023

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#2122021#2192022#1752023

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#1862022#1842023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#2222020#2072021#2512022

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#2252021#2732022#2282023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#2532019#2452020#2272021

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#3222021#2712022#3022023

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#3762021#4652022#3862023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#4192015#4142018#4472022

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Lana a Name for Boys or Girls?

Historically, Lana has been favored as a girl’s name. Its origins in different languages highlight its use for girls across various cultures.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Lana

Lana in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Lana Del Rey (Singer, born 1985): An American singer-songwriter known for her cinematic music style and melancholic themes.
  • Lana Turner (Actress, 1921–1995): A famous American actress and pin-up model from the Golden Age of Hollywood.
  • Lana Parrilla (Actress, born 1977): An American actress best known for her role in the TV series "Once Upon a Time."
  • Lana Condor (Actress, born 1997): An American actress and YouTuber who starred in the "To All the Boys" film series.
  • Lana Wood (Actress, born 1946): An American actress and producer, also the sister of Natalie Wood.
  • Lana Wachowski (Director, born 1965): An American film director, writer, and producer, co-creator of "The Matrix" series.
  • Lana Lang ("Smallville," 2001 TV Series): A close friend and love interest of Clark Kent who has a complex relationship with him throughout the series.
  • Lana Winters ("American Horror Story: Asylum," 2012 TV Series): A journalist who becomes an inmate at Briarcliff Manor while investigating its dark secrets.
  • "Lana Del Rey" (2012 Album): The second studio album by the American singer-songwriter featuring hit songs like "Born to Die."
  • Lana Beniko ("Star Wars: The Old Republic," 2011 Video Game): A Sith Lord and key character in the game's expansions, known for her strategic mind and complex morality.
  • Lana Kane ("Archer," 2009 TV Series): A top agent at the International Secret Intelligence Service, known for her skill and sharp wit.
  • "Lana and Lilly Wachowski" (Film Directors): Siblings and film directors best known for creating "The Matrix" trilogy.
  • Lana Municipality (South Tyrol, Italy): A town located in the Etschtal Valley, known for its apple orchards and wine production.
  • Lana River (Tirana County, Albania): A river flowing through the capital city of Tirana.
  • Lana'i Island (Hawaii, USA): The sixth-largest of the Hawaiian Islands, offering luxury resorts and pristine beaches.
  • Santa Ana Volcano (Lana Department, El Salvador): The highest volcano in El Salvador, featuring a crater lake at its summit.
  • Lana Lake (British Columbia, Canada): A small lake situated in the Cariboo region, popular for fishing and camping.
  • Lana'i City (Hawaii, USA): The central town on Lana'i Island, with a rich history of pineapple plantations.

Similar Names to Lana

Sibling Names for Lana

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