Santana

UnisexSpanish, Hebrew· “Saint Anne”

Meaning
Saint Anne
Origin
Spanish, Hebrew
Pronunciation
san-TAN-uh
Syllables
3
US rank 2025
#855
US babies 2025
285
Best rank
#544 (2020)
Peak year
2020

Meaning and origin of Santana

Santana is a Spanish and Hebrew name that means “Saint Anne”.

Santana is a Spanish and Portuguese surname meaning Saint Anne, from Santa Ana, and it often began as the name of a place or church dedicated to her. Anne comes from the Hebrew Hannah, meaning grace or favor. The guitarist Carlos Santana, known for blending rock with Latin rhythms, made the surname famous worldwide. The Santa Ana winds of southern California are usually said to take their name from Santa Ana Canyon, itself named for the saint. The surname is widespread in Brazil, Mexico and the Caribbean. As a first name, Santana is used for both boys and girls in the United States.

Popularity over time

0150300450600192019401960198020002020Peak 2020: 522
US boysUS girls

Santana first appears in US Social Security records in 1915. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 14 different years, starting in 2006. Its best national rank was #544 in 2020, the same year it reached its highest count of 522 babies. In 2025, 285 babies were named Santana, and it ranked #855 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.

Its national rank moved from #3,449 in 1920, #3,630 in 1950, #1,955 in 1980, #1,127 in 2000, #1,204 in 2010, and #855 in 2025. Of the 7,785 US boys named Santana since records began, 31% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 2,396 babies.

Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Finnley, Layne, Dior, Sky, and Khari.

Where it is most popular (2025)

In 2025, Santana ranked highest in Colorado, Arizona, and California.

StateRank thereBabies
Colorado#43614
Arizona#48515
California#56354
Nevada#5855
Indiana#61711

Gender, sound and spelling

Santana is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 26% of US babies named Santana were girls and 74% were boys.

Santana is usually pronounced san-TAN-uh, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with S and ends in “-na”.

Middle names for Santana

A few middle names that flow with Santana: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.

Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
William Boy
WIHL-yuhm
“resolute protector” · Germanic
#9
James Boy
JAYMZ
“holder of the heel, supplanter” · English
#6
John Boy
JAHN
“Yahweh is gracious” · Hebrew
#23
Leo Boy
LEE-oh
“lion” · Latin
#19
Rowan Unisex
ROH-uhn
“little red one; rowan tree” · Irish
#59

Sibling names for Santana

Similar names

Ximena Girl
hee-MEH-nuh
“possibly from Simon, 'he has heard'” · Spanish
#183
Elliana Girl
el-ee-AH-nuh
“my God has answered” · Hebrew
#139
Jimena Girl
hih-MEH-nuh
Spanish
#578
Luciana Girl
loo-see-AH-nuh
“light” · Italian
#273
Elianna Girl
eh-lee-AH-nuh
“my God has answered” · Hebrew
#218
Reina Girl
RAY-nuh
“queen” · Spanish
#582
Iliana Girl
il-ee-AH-nuh
“uncertain; possibly from Ilion or Helen” · Greek
#730
Davina Girl
duh-VEE-nuh
“feminine of David, 'beloved'” · Scottish
#749
Susana Girl
soo-SAH-nuh
“lily” · Spanish
#2,254
Solana Girl
soh-LAH-nuh
“sunshine” · Spanish
#495
Eliana Girl
eh-lee-AH-nuh
“my God has answered” · Hebrew
#10
Isabel Girl
IH-zuh-behl
“my God is an oath” · Spanish
#177

Lists that include Santana

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Santana mean?

Santana is a Spanish and Hebrew name that means “Saint Anne”.

What is the origin of the name Santana?

Santana has Spanish and Hebrew roots. Santana is a Spanish and Portuguese surname meaning Saint Anne, from Santa Ana, and it often began as the name of a place or church dedicated to her.

Is Santana a popular name?

Yes. Santana ranked #855 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.

Is Santana a boy or girl name?

Santana is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 26% of US babies named Santana were girls and 74% were boys.

How do you pronounce Santana?

Santana is usually pronounced san-TAN-uh. 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