"judge, arbiter"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Dana
Pronunciation: [ d-AYN-uh ]
Does Dana flow with your last name?
A goddess name hiding in plain sight
English
Hebrew
Irish
Slavic
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Meaning & Origin
"mother goddess"
Origin: Celtic
Language: Irish
"wise, knowledgeable"
Origin: Persian
Language: Persian
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The Story of Dana
Dana has multiple independent origins. In Hebrew, it derives from 'Dan,' meaning 'judge' or 'arbiter,' connected to the biblical tribe of Dan, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. In Irish mythology, Dana (also spelled Danu) was the mother goddess of the Tuatha De Danann — the divine race of ancient Ireland. The name also spread in mid-20th century America as a softer variant of the masculine Dan, becoming fully established as a feminine name in its own right.
Dana peaked in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s, ranking among the top 50 girls' names. Its crisp, two-syllable sound felt modern for the era. The name has declined since the 1990s as it began to feel dated, though it remains well-recognized and continues to be chosen by parents who appreciate its clean, no-fuss style.
In Irish and Celtic mythology, Danu is considered the mother of all gods, making the name deeply rooted in ancient European spirituality. In the Jewish tradition, it connects to one of the twelve tribes of Israel. In Persian and Arabic, Dana means 'wise' or 'knowledgeable,' giving it an independent meaning in those cultures.
Historical Record
Dana first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 185,257 babies have been named Dana in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Dana is past its peak , currently ranked #1,076 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Danu is one of the oldest goddess names in Indo-European tradition, predating most European civilizations
- In Persian and Arabic, 'Dana' independently means 'wise' or 'knowledgeable'
- Dana was used equally for boys and girls in the 1970s — one of the most genuinely unisex names of that decade
Dana in Other Languages
Irish
Dána
Arabic
دانا
Hebrew
דָּנָה
Persian
دانا
Russian
Дана
Popularity Over Time
#1,076
Current Rank
Peaked 1971
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,076
- Total SSA Count
- 230
- Cultural Origins
- English Hebrew Irish Slavic
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Dan
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Dana
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Dana is also used as a boy name, ranked #4273.
View Dana as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Dana
What does the name Dana mean?
"judge, arbiter" (from Hebrew). "mother goddess" (from Celtic). "wise, knowledgeable" (from Persian). Dana has multiple independent origins. In Hebrew, it derives from 'Dan,' meaning 'judge' or 'arbiter,' connected to the biblical tribe of Dan, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. In Irish mythology, Dana (also spelled Danu) was the mother goddess of the Tuatha De Danann — the divine race of ancient Ireland. The name also spread in mid-20th century America as a softer variant of the masculine Dan, becoming fully established as a feminine name in its own right.
What is the origin of the name Dana?
Dana has Hebrew, Celtic, Persian, English, Irish, and Slavic origins. In Hebrew, it means "judge, arbiter". In Celtic, it means "mother goddess". In Persian, it means "wise, knowledgeable".
Is Dana a boy or girl name?
Dana is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1076. As a boy name, it is ranked #4273. Dana is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Dana?
Dana is pronounced d-AYN-uh.
How popular is the name Dana?
Dana is currently ranked #1076 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Dana?
Common nicknames for Dana include Dan.
What are good middle names for Dana?
Popular middle name pairings include Dana Marie, Dana Lynn, Dana Nicole, Dana Rose, Dana Elizabeth, Dana Christine, and Dana Lee.
What are good sibling names for Dana?
Names that pair well with Dana as siblings include Lisa, Karen, Diane, Scott, Mark, Brian, and Donna.
How many syllables does Dana have?
Dana has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Dana a common or rare name?
Dana is an uncommon name, ranked #1076 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Dana?
About the Name Dana
Dana is a girl name with English, Hebrew, Irish, and Slavic origins . The name means "judge, arbiter" in Hebrew .
Is Dana a boy or girl name? Dana is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,076 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #4,273. Dana is more commonly used as a girl name.
Dana is currently ranked #1,076 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Dana has 2 syllables and is pronounced d-AYN-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Dana include Dan. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Dana include Daniela, Danna, Daniella, Danielle, Dani . 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