Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Kiana
GirlAmerican (modern coinage), Hawaiian· “modern name; uncertain origin”
- Meaning
- modern name; uncertain origin (origin disputed)
- Origin
- American (modern coinage), Hawaiian
- Pronunciation
- kee-AH-nuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #743
- US babies 2025
- 366
- Best rank
- #190 (1996)
- Peak year
- 1996
Meaning and origin of Kiana
Kiana is often said to mean “modern name; uncertain origin”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to American (modern coinage) and Hawaiian roots.
Kiana is a modern name with uncertain origins. It is sometimes described as a Hawaiian form of Diana, and it resembles Irish names such as Keane and Kian, but none of these links is firmly established. In the United States it spread in the later twentieth century, fitting with names such as Tiana and Liana. Because its source is unclear, meanings offered online vary widely and are best treated with caution. Kiana has a light, musical three-syllable sound, with the stress on the middle syllable. Kia and Kiki are playful nicknames.
Popularity over time
Kiana first appears in US Social Security records in 1962. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 39 different years, starting in 1978. Its best national rank was #190 in 1996, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,585 babies. In 2025, 366 babies were named Kiana, and it ranked #743 nationally. That is 31% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #1,060 in 1980, #276 in 2000, #582 in 2010, and #743 in 2025. Of the 26,694 US girls named Kiana since records began, 39% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 8,568 babies. Since 2010, 5,636 more have been named Kiana.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Deja, Asia, Alexus, Guadalupe, and Shania.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Kiana ranked highest in Hawaii, Nevada, and Washington.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | #86 | 9 |
| Nevada | #225 | 12 |
| Washington | #337 | 22 |
| California | #463 | 73 |
| Oregon | #592 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Kiana is usually pronounced kee-AH-nuh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with K and ends in “-na”.
Middle names for Kiana
A few middle names that flow with Kiana: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Kiana
Similar names
Keona Girl
kee-OH-nuh
“modern name, meaning uncertain” · American (modern coinage)
#3,188
Tiana Girl
tee-AH-nuh
“short form of Christiana or Tatiana” · American (modern coinage)
#598
Leanna Girl
lee-AN-uh
“blend of Lee and Anna” · American (modern coinage)
#890
Breanna Girl
bree-AN-uh
“feminine form of Brian” · Irish
#2,548
Maliyah Girl
muh-LEE-uh
“variant of Malia, Hawaiian form of Mary” · American (modern coinage)
#626
Brenna Girl
BREH-nuh
Irish
#1,846
Ayanna Girl
eye-AH-nuh
“modern name of uncertain origin” · American (modern coinage)
#1,368
Laina Girl
LAY-nuh
“modern name of uncertain origin” · American (modern coinage)
#2,422
Leana Girl
lee-AH-nuh
“variant of Liana or Leanne” · American (modern coinage)
#2,424
Vianna Girl
vee-AN-uh
“uncertain; perhaps a blend of Vi and Anna” · American (modern coinage)
#3,026
Riana Girl
ree-AN-uh
“possibly short for Briana or Adriana” · American (modern coinage)
#5,199
Moana Girl
moh-AH-nuh
“ocean, sea” · Maori
#4,141
Lists that include Kiana
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kiana mean?
Kiana is often said to mean “modern name; uncertain origin”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to American (modern coinage) and Hawaiian roots.
What is the origin of the name Kiana?
Kiana has modern American and Hawaiian roots. Kiana is a modern name with uncertain origins.
Is Kiana a popular name?
Yes. Kiana ranked #743 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Kiana a boy or girl name?
Kiana is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Kiana?
Kiana is usually pronounced kee-AH-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