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Dana Name Meaning, Origins & History

Dana

Pronunciation: DAY-nuh / DAN-uh

Meaning From Denmark Origin surnames Gender Unisex
GIRLS RANK
#1,027
TREND
50
BOYS RANK
#4,157
TREND
49
Peak Years
1971, 1970, 1964
Lowest Years
1882, 1901, 1885
Energy Archetype
Practical & Determined

Rank shows the name’s position among U.S. baby names for each gender in 2025. Trend shows how many places it rose or fell since 2024. Rank 1 is the most popular. Based on U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) data. Peak and lowest years are based on the number of girls named Dana in the available records.

Fun Facts About the Name Dana

  • More than 246 thousand babies named Dana: U.S. records list 246,841 babies given the name Dana from 1880 through 2025. Of these, 53,286 boys received the name Dana - about 1 boy for every 4 girls.

What Does the Name Dana Mean?

Dana has several independent origins, and they do not share a single meaning. In Persian, Dānā (دانا) means "wise" or "knowing" and is used chiefly as a masculine name. In Arabic, Dāna (دانة) means "large pearl" and is used as a feminine name. In Czech and Slovak, Dana is a feminine name generally understood as a short form of Daniela, the feminine of Daniel, a Hebrew name usually explained as "God is my judge"; it also shortens other names such as Bohdana. In English, the name is commonly traced to the surname Dana, whose own origin is not settled.

Dana Name History & Origins

The Persian name is built on the root dān-, "to know" (as in the verb dānistan), so it means "one who knows" or "wise." The Arabic name is simply the noun dāna, a large pearl, taken up as a girl's name.

The Slavic name came from shortening longer names. In Czech and Slovak, Dana became an independent feminine given name, most often from Daniela but also from compound names such as Bohdana. Dana is not a biblical name itself; it is a later short form of names that are.

In English, Dana entered use as a given name mainly through the surname Dana. The surname's etymology is uncertain; a common but unconfirmed suggestion is that it referred to a Dane, an inhabitant of Denmark. As a first name, Dana has been used for both men and women in the United States. In modern Hebrew, Dana (דנה) is also a common feminine given name.

Two older names are sometimes linked to Dana. In Greek myth, Danaë was the mother of Perseus, and in Irish tradition Danu (sometimes written Dana) is the mother goddess after whom the Tuatha Dé Danann are named. These are connections of similarity and legend rather than proven sources of the modern English name.

How Popular is the Name Dana?

Dana recorded its highest annual U.S. birth count in 1971. Its best rank was #44 in 1971.

U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.

Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.

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How the Name Dana Shapes Your Personality and Life?

You are strong in material matters, determined and stubborn. You have good business ability. You are a good worker, steady and practical, a builder who takes responsibility well. These qualities may bring you a position of authority and power. You are a doer, down-to-earth, serious-minded, reliable, and self-disciplined; have good power of concentration. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.

You are always looking for an opportunity to achieve financial and emotional security. You are basically peacemaker. You understand the law of harmony and desire to balance your life with those around you. You may feel incomplete without someone to share your love, ideals, wealth or work. You can be very sensitive and could appear a bit shy and perceptive. You have developed intuition, patience and the ability to nurture others. You can achieve the state of happiness if you are willing to accept your needs in a complimentary relationship and go to create them.

✦ Dana's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Dana's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.
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