"little child; dear child (endearment)"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: Irish
Alanna
Pronunciation: [ ahl-AHN-uh ]
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An Irish endearment turned name, full of warmth
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Scottish
American
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Meaning & Origin
"fair; beautiful; harmonious"
Origin: Celtic
Language: Irish/Scottish
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The Story of Alanna
Alanna is the feminine form of Alan/Allan, from the Irish Gaelic a leanbh meaning O child, used as a term of endearment, or from the Celtic al meaning rock or harmony. In Irish, alanna (from a leanbh) is still used as a tender endearment for a child. This makes Alanna one of those rare names that is itself a loving word before it's a formal given name.
Alanna has maintained steady popularity in Ireland, Scotland, and Irish-American communities. In the US, it is often seen as a distinctive spelling of Alana. Tamora Pierce's Alanna the Lioness fantasy series (1983) gave the name a strong, heroic fictional identity beloved by young female readers for decades.
In Irish Gaelic, a leanbh (pronounced similarly to alanna) is one of the most tender words a parent can say to a child — a true endearment meaning dear child. This gives Alanna a name with genuine emotional weight in Celtic culture, beyond its use as a simple given name.
Historical Record
Alanna first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 25,706 babies have been named Alanna in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Alanna is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #289 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- In Irish, alanna is still used as a term of endearment meaning dear child
- Tamora Pierce's Alanna the Lioness (1983) is a feminist fantasy classic that shaped generations of readers
Alanna in Other Languages
French
Alanna
English
Alanna/Alana
Spanish
Alana
Irish Gaelic
A leanbh (endearment)
Scottish Gaelic
Ailanna
Popularity Over Time
#289
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Alanna
A
Alanna Ubach
Actor
1975
American actress known for Legally Blonde and as the voice of Mama Imelda in Coco
A
Alanna of Trebond Fictional
Other
Fictional protagonist of Tamora Pierce's Song of the Lioness fantasy series (1983), a pioneering female knight
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #289
- Total SSA Count
- 1,096
- Cultural Origins
- Irish Scottish American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Lanna
Lana
Allie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Alanna
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Alanna is also used as a boy name, ranked #15010.
View Alanna as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Alanna
What does the name Alanna mean?
"little child; dear child (endearment)" (from Irish Gaelic). "fair; beautiful; harmonious" (from Celtic). Alanna is the feminine form of Alan/Allan, from the Irish Gaelic a leanbh meaning O child, used as a term of endearment, or from the Celtic al meaning rock or harmony. In Irish, alanna (from a leanbh) is still used as a tender endearment for a child. This makes Alanna one of those rare names that is itself a loving word before it's a formal given name.
What is the origin of the name Alanna?
Alanna has Irish Gaelic, Celtic, Irish, Scottish, American, and English origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "little child; dear child (endearment)". In Celtic, it means "fair; beautiful; harmonious".
Is Alanna a boy or girl name?
Alanna is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #289. As a boy name, it is ranked #15010. Alanna is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Alanna?
Alanna is pronounced ahl-AHN-uh.
How popular is the name Alanna?
Alanna is currently ranked #289 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Alanna?
Common nicknames for Alanna include Lanna, Lana, and Allie.
What are good middle names for Alanna?
Popular middle name pairings include Alanna Rose, Alanna Marie, Alanna Grace, Alanna Kate, Alanna Claire, Alanna Jane, and Alanna Elizabeth.
What are good sibling names for Alanna?
Names that pair well with Alanna as siblings include Fiona, Sienna, Maeve, Delaney, Declan, Finn, Ronan, and Ciara.
How many syllables does Alanna have?
Alanna has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Alanna a common or rare name?
Alanna is a popular name, ranked #289 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Alanna?
About the Name Alanna
Alanna is a girl name with Irish, Scottish, American, and English origins . The name means "little child; dear child (endearment)" in Irish Gaelic .
Is Alanna a boy or girl name? Alanna is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #289 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #15,010. Alanna is more commonly used as a girl name.
Alanna is currently ranked #289 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Alanna has 3 syllables and is pronounced ahl-AHN-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Alanna include Lanna, Lana, and Allie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Alanna include Alana, Alani, Alannah, Alanis, Alanah . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis