Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Lana
GirlEnglish, Slavic· “short form of Alana or Svetlana”
- Meaning
- short form of Alana or Svetlana
- Origin
- English, Slavic
- Pronunciation
- LAH-nuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #406
- US babies 2025
- 768
- Best rank
- #188 (1948)
- Peak year
- 1948
Meaning and origin of Lana
Lana is an English and Slavic name that is usually said to mean “short form of Alana or Svetlana”.
Lana is a short form that grew into a name of its own. It is used in Slavic languages for Svetlana, which means light, and in English for names such as Alana. Some sources connect it with an Irish word of endearment or with Latin lana, wool, but these links are uncertain. Hollywood actress Lana Turner made it glamorous in the twentieth century, and singer Lana Del Rey gave it a moody, modern edge. The name is short and smooth, and it sounds equally at home in many languages.
Other spellings with the same sound: Lanna.
Popularity over time
Lana first appears in US Social Security records in 1885. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 87 different years, starting in 1885. Its best national rank was #188 in 1948, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,465 babies. In 2025, 768 babies were named Lana, and it ranked #406 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #2,520 in 1920, #205 in 1950, #466 in 1980, #1,013 in 2000, #480 in 2010, and #406 in 2025. Of the 57,434 US girls named Lana since records began, 18% were born in the 1940s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 8,932 babies. Since 2010, 12,627 more have been named Lana.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Janie, Deloris, Trudy, Sharyn, and Saundra.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Lana ranked highest in Hawaii, California, and New Jersey.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | #74 | 10 |
| California | #247 | 134 |
| New Jersey | #271 | 31 |
| Illinois | #292 | 37 |
| Washington | #294 | 25 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Lana is usually pronounced LAH-nuh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with L and ends in “-na”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Lanna.
Middle names for Lana
A few middle names that flow with Lana: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Lana
Similar names
Jenna Girl
JEN-uh
“variant of Jennifer, 'fair one'” · English
#679
Danna Girl
DAH-nuh
“variant of Dana; origin uncertain” · Spanish
#394
Rayna Girl
RAY-nuh
Hebrew
#796
Leanna Girl
lee-AN-uh
“blend of Lee and Anna” · American (modern coinage)
#890
Raina Girl
RAY-nuh
“possibly queen” · Slavic
#916
Gina Girl
JEE-nuh
“short form of Regina or Georgina” · Italian
#2,085
Tina Girl
TEE-nuh
“short form of names ending in -tina” · English
#2,815
Dana Girl
DAY-nuh
“uncertain; several possible origins” · English
#1,027
Leena Girl
LEE-nuh
“short form of names ending in -lina” · English
#1,115
Nena Girl
NAY-nuh
“little girl; also short form of names” · Spanish
rare
Yana Girl
YAH-nuh
“God is gracious” · Russian
#2,409
Dayna Girl
DAY-nuh
“variant of Dana” · English
#6,604
Lists that include Lana
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lana mean?
Lana is an English and Slavic name that is usually said to mean “short form of Alana or Svetlana”.
What is the origin of the name Lana?
Lana has English and Slavic roots. Lana is a short form that grew into a name of its own.
Is Lana a popular name?
Yes. Lana ranked #406 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Lana a boy or girl name?
Lana is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Lana?
Lana is usually pronounced LAH-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