Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Sana
GirlArabic, Japanese· “radiance, brilliance”
- Meaning
- radiance, brilliance
- Origin
- Arabic, Japanese
- Pronunciation
- SAH-nuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,434
- US babies 2025
- 151
- Best rank
- #1,316 (2022)
- Peak year
- 2022
Meaning and origin of Sana
Sana is an Arabic and Japanese name that is usually said to mean “radiance, brilliance”.
Sana has more than one origin. In Arabic, sana means "radiance" or "brilliance," from a root associated with light and eminence. In Japanese, Sana is a separate given name whose meaning depends on the kanji chosen. Because the name appears independently in different languages, it has an easy international character. Sana is short, bright and simple to pronounce, with two soft syllables. It suits families who want a name that works smoothly across different cultures and pairs well with longer surnames.
Popularity over time
Sana first appears in US Social Security records in 1923. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,316 in 2022, the same year it reached its highest count of 180 babies. In 2025, 151 babies were named Sana, and it ranked #1,434 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #3,481 in 1980, #1,556 in 2000, #1,989 in 2010, and #1,434 in 2025. Of the 4,873 US girls named Sana since records began, 25% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 1,186 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Journie, Emeri, Arwen, Maeva, and Zinnia.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Sana ranked highest in Virginia, California, and New Jersey.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | #655 | 12 |
| California | #765 | 41 |
| New Jersey | #926 | 8 |
| Washington | #1025 | 6 |
| Colorado | #1036 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Sana is usually pronounced SAH-nuh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with S and ends in “-na”.
Middle names for Sana
A few middle names that flow with Sana: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Sana
Similar names
Hana Girl
HAH-nuh
“flower; also bliss” · Japanese
#658
Zaina Girl
ZAY-nuh
“beautiful; variant of Zayna” · Arabic
#1,316
Liyana Girl
lee-YAH-nuh
“softness, tenderness” · Arabic
#1,059
Zayna Girl
ZAY-nuh
“beautiful, adorned” · Arabic
#1,499
Senna Girl
SEN-uh
“possibly the senna plant, or Arabic brilliance” · Arabic
#1,757
Muna Girl
MOO-nuh
“wishes, desires” · Arabic
#3,436
Lina Girl
LEE-nuh
“tender; short for -lina names” · Arabic
#572
Yuna Girl
YOO-nuh
“several Japanese and Korean meanings” · Japanese
#952
Rana Girl
RAH-nuh
“eye-catching (Arabic); prince (Sanskrit)” · Arabic
#3,203
Rihanna Girl
ree-AH-nuh
“sweet basil” · Arabic
#2,150
Ayanna Girl
eye-AH-nuh
“modern name of uncertain origin” · American (modern coinage)
#1,368
Ayana Girl
eye-YAH-nuh
“uncertain; several possible sources” · Amharic
#1,161
Lists that include Sana
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sana mean?
Sana is an Arabic and Japanese name that is usually said to mean “radiance, brilliance”.
What is the origin of the name Sana?
Sana has Arabic and Japanese roots. Sana has more than one origin.
Is Sana a popular name?
Not especially. Sana ranked #1,434 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Sana a boy or girl name?
Sana is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Sana?
Sana is usually pronounced SAH-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