Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Dayna
GirlEnglish· “variant of Dana”
- Meaning
- variant of Dana (origin disputed)
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- DAY-nuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #6,604
- US babies 2025
- 17
- Best rank
- #543 (1982)
- Peak year
- 1988
Meaning and origin of Dayna
Dayna is often said to mean “variant of Dana”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to English roots.
This spelling of Dana adds a y to fix the long a sound, making clear that the name is said DAY-nuh rather than DAN-uh. The origin of Dana itself is uncertain. As an English surname it may come from a word for a Dane, and some link it to the Irish goddess Danu, though that connection is not proven. Dana was used for boys first and became mainly a girls' name in the United States during the mid twentieth century, with spellings like Dayna and Daina following. Dayna has a friendly, uncomplicated style today, a short two-syllable name in the same family as Shayna, Jana and Layna.
Popularity over time
Dayna first appears in US Social Security records in 1937. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 45 different years, starting in 1955. Its best national rank was #543 in 1982, and the most babies received it in 1988, when 361 were named Dayna. In 2025, 17 babies were named Dayna, and it ranked #6,604 nationally. That is 61% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,381 in 1950, #547 in 1980, #963 in 2000, #2,347 in 2010, and #6,604 in 2025. Of the 14,460 US girls named Dayna since records began, 23% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1970s come next, with 2,662 babies. Since 2010, 717 more have been named Dayna.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Alecia, Ashli, Brittaney, Lacie, and Jerica.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Dayna is usually pronounced DAY-nuh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with D and ends in “-na”.
Middle names for Dayna
A few middle names that flow with Dayna: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Dayna
Similar names
Mena Girl
MEE-nuh
“variant of Mina” · German
#6,257
Shanna Girl
SHA-nuh
“variant of Shannon, or of Shana” · Irish
#12,982
Jenna Girl
JEN-uh
“variant of Jennifer, 'fair one'” · English
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Dana Girl
DAY-nuh
“uncertain; several possible origins” · English
#1,027
Leanna Girl
lee-AN-uh
“blend of Lee and Anna” · American (modern coinage)
#890
Gina Girl
JEE-nuh
“short form of Regina or Georgina” · Italian
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Tina Girl
TEE-nuh
“short form of names ending in -tina” · English
#2,815
Nena Girl
NAY-nuh
“little girl; also short form of names” · Spanish
rare
Lana Girl
LAH-nuh
“short form of Alana or Svetlana” · English
#406
Danna Girl
DAH-nuh
“variant of Dana; origin uncertain” · Spanish
#394
Leena Girl
LEE-nuh
“short form of names ending in -lina” · English
#1,115
Seanna Girl
SHAW-nuh
“feminine of Sean, "God is gracious"” · Irish
#5,372
Lists that include Dayna
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Dayna mean?
Dayna is often said to mean “variant of Dana”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to English roots.
What is the origin of the name Dayna?
Dayna has English roots. This spelling of Dana adds a y to fix the long a sound, making clear that the name is said DAY-nuh rather than DAN-uh.
Is Dayna a popular name?
Not especially. Dayna ranked #6,604 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Dayna a boy or girl name?
Dayna is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Dayna?
Dayna is usually pronounced DAY-nuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings